Martyn Ford doubts Iranian Hulk is serious about taking part in their heavyweight fight after questions were raised over his physical condition.
The pair will make their respective boxing debuts on April 30 when they settle their war of words at The O2 arena. The fight has already been delayed from the original April 2 date after injuries plagued the card.
Ford has now claimed he does not want to be perceived as a bully for his actions in the ring and has called for his rival to get his "a***" into gear. "A lot has been said, I am asking the question if he genuinely wants to fight me?," Ford said at a press conference.
"Because I don’t want to step in the ring and be perceived as a bully and seen as intimidating someone who hasn’t put the same work in as I have. If he really wants to do this fight, tell everyone he wants to do this fight and don’t put it on me.
“There is a lot of passion but at the end of the day your face goes in there face-to-face and it is fight or flight. So for me that was a case of ‘do you want to be here as well’ and for me that answer is no. If he agrees to step in and do it he needs to be ready.
"One hundred per cent I will bring everything to the table but I expect if he is serious about fighting then he gets his a** into gear because I don’t want to disappoint people at the event."
Do you think Iranian Hulk could beat Martyn Ford? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Iranian Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - has claimed that he has lost 30lb during his training camp despite facing concern from fans over his training methods. He is likely to have a large size disadvantage in the ring.
Gharibi has also admitted to having never boxed before accepting the fight, with his rival carrying a significant advantage having a background in MMA. Despite the claim, the Iranian star responded with defiance and has claimed he is ready to put his life on the line.
“I am very excited for this fight, I will put everything I have got into this for the people of my nation," Gharibi responded. "I have been working on a lot more lighter and flexible workouts whereas before I was doing muscle building workouts. My stamina and heart rate have both improved and I am ready to do the rounds.
"I am just going to stick to what I am doing and focus on that. This is going to be a very difficult night for Martyn. I believe that Martyn has a very weak chin coupled with the fact I have a very strong punch and I believe I am going to knock him out."
