A contest with the potential to steal the show at the fourth and final card of Matchroom's inaugural Fight Camp series is the 10-round welterweight showdown between Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) and Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs) for the former's WBO global championship.
The unbeaten challenger will be a tough mountain to climb for Clay: Kongo is a rare welterweight who stands at the 6-foot mark, and his range and confidence will take some work to overcome.
During the final press conference on Thursday for the Aug. 22 event, promoter Eddie Hearn gave mic time to the challenger first, as is tradition — and that confidence was there for all to see.
"This is my time to shine," stated Kongo. I’m ready.
"I don’t think this fight will last the distance. Someone is going down, and I’m sure it won’t be me.
"I see him as a quality opponent. He has a few good fundamentals that I've noticed, but on the night I believe he’s limited in what he does. I’ve seen his last few fights, and I don’t think he has any good finishing qualities like an elite fighter.
"And speed kills. Once I show my speed in the ring, everything will come off that. You will see him on the floor, guaranteed. Once I have you hurt, it’s over. Everyone I’ve hurt in that ring did not see the last bell."
Most fans viewing the online stream of the conference anticipated equally tough fighting words from the champion — especially after the verbal fracas between Alen Babic and Shawndell Winters before them.
However, Clay was remarkably calm and passive throughout his alotted time on the mic.
He said: "He's [Kongo] quite powerful, I guess. We’ll see. I know he is a good boxer and everyone rates him.
"I am interested to test myself and see if this is real. He’s got the reputation, he’s got the clout. That’s what I want. I’m grateful to be on Sky but that’s not the be-all and end-all. That’s to win this fight and what comes next.
"He says he will knock me out? I say OK, bring it. Let’s go. I haven’t been to the well yet. I feel like I’ve been cruising. If he’s the one to take me there, I look forward to it.
"I want to dig deep and see what I’ve got. I’m chilled, yeah. I may be too chilled. I don’t feel the pressure now. Maybe I’ll feel it on the night."
Matchroom Fight Camp 4, headlined by Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin and Katie Taylor vs. Delfine Persoon, airs live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN in the U.S. on Aug. 22.