Anthony Joshua is unsure whether Kevin Johnson's verbal barbs will affect him when the pair meet on May 30.
Having dispatched of Brazilian Raphael Zumbano Love with ease at the weekend, Olympic gold medallist Joshua is now set for the biggest test of his professional career when he meets the former heavyweight title challenger.
Johnson, 35, has never been stopped in his 36 fights, although he has lost to both Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora and goes into the fight with Joshua on the back of three straight losses.
The pair meet at the O2 on May 30 as part of the under-card to the Kell Brook versus Frankie Gavin title fight.
The experienced Johnson has had plenty to say about Joshua, who is ready to defend his 12-0 record against someone he knows has the ability to push him all the way.
"It is interesting," he said about the build-up to the bout. "It is about what I have got to expect from myself, whether what he says has a mental effect on me.
"I'm expecting some more trash-talking from him and whether that has an effect on me may determine how I perform.
"I'm expecting a very defensive fighter, someone with a beautiful jab and who understands the game. His confidence doesn't come from nowhere.
"He has to have done some research and he has been in there with the likes of Vitali Klitschko - he is also a very educated man.
"You listen to the things he said, he has some sort of intelligence and a clever man makes a clever fighter. He will cause some difficulties, but I will be able to prevail."
The two have sparred in the past and Joshua insists he does not see Johnson as an "enemy".
He said: "We shared a camp together so just because we are fighting doesn't make him an enemy, just another person I have to beat."
