Martyn Ford has backed Eddie Hall to tear rival Thor Bjornsson a "new stomach" in their planned strongman clash.
The British star has trained with Hall on several occasions with the pair sharing a friendship over their passion for fitness.
Hall is set to make his boxing debut against bitter rival Bjornsson with a date yet to be announced after their original meeting was postponed.
Ford has backed Hall but hopes he is able to keep his emotions under control and translate his strongman "power" into inflicting damage in the boxing ring.
“I can’t say anyone but Eddie being one of my best friends," Ford told Mirror Fighting .
"Genuinely I think Eddie if he can get inside will be too explosive for Thor to handle. Thor has certainly improved as a boxer, when I first watched him I couldn’t grasp how he was going to improve. But he really has and you can’t disrespect that and the journey he has done.
"I just think there are two wild individuals and they aren’t boxing backgrounds but are athletes. Thor has shown that with his ability to box. Eddie has not put much out on purpose, but he is sparring and training ridiculously hard. He is the type of person that when he puts his mind to something will do it against all odds.
"Eddie is the type of guy that will win because he is so hungry and passionate. He is clever as well don’t let the stuff he puts out fool you.
"I just hope he keeps it in control because he hates Thor so much. Like I said, if he can get inside and can't translate that power into his punching, I think he will tear him a new stomach."
Hall and Bjornsson have exchanged insults over a proposed bout ever since they began training in the sport, adding a wager to their proposed bout.
The British star is yet to take to the boxing ring and suffered a nasty detached bicep injury that delayed the event taking place last year.
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Meanwhile his rival has fought three times in the ring with his most recent victory over armwrestling champion Devon Larratt who he dismissed in the opening round.
Bjornsson believes this was a sign of what is to come and has made a promise to stop his opponent in the early rounds.
"I think I'll knock him out in the third or fourth round," Bjornsson proclaimed while speaking with iFL TV about the fight.
"I'm not too worried about when or how, I've said it in silly action when we're talking but I'm not too worried about when.
"I'm just focused on me, focused on getting as good as possible, and people can make predictions on how they're going to win fights.
"But at the end of the day when you're in the ring things can change very fast and you have to be quick to adjust even though you have a game plan because it might not work. You have to be very alert and ready for whatever happens."
