Shakur Stevenson quipped that Floyd Schofield could pull out of their WBC lightweight bout next month after his opponent was a no-show at Monday's press conference.
The three-weight world champion is set to mount the latest defence of his title at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View on February 22.
Schofield was a notable absentee for the media event in London however, leaving Stevenson to field questions alone following July's win over Artem Harutyunyan.
The champion, who saw a fight in October called off due to injury, took advantage of the solo limelight to call out his opponent, warning him he has made an error in challenging him.
"Yeah, he's definitely made a mistake," he said. "He's a good, young fighter, a hungry fighter. I hope he still takes the fight. I was kind of worried because he's not here.
"Don't get butterflies and pull out of the fight, Floyd. I know it's a hard time, I know you're dealing with a lot.
"But just show up. I'm coming in and putting my offensive on I'll let my hands go and I'll beat guys up."
Stevenson had been expected to face Wiliam Zepeda next month after the latter's win in November, only for injury to rule him out of a possible February date in the ring.
Schofield called out the incumbent holder for a fight, with both men sparring verbally in the build-up to its official confirmation as part of the latest Riyadh Season card.
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