Matthew Macklin is ready "to go to war" when he faces Sergio Martinez on March 17 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
The former European champion, born in Birmingham to Irish parents, is sure to have a massive following with the fight taking place on St Patrick's Day and Macklin is out to prove he belongs at world title level.
The 29-year-old has not boxed since suffering a highly controversial split decision defeat to WBA champion Felix Sturm in his first world title bid last summer, but he does not intend to leave anything outside the ring in New York.
"I've always believed in myself and said I belong at this level. I proved it against Sturm and everyone, bar the two judges who scored it for him, could see that," said Macklin ((28-3, 19KOs).
"Fights like the Sturm one and this Martinez fight are the type of fights I've craved my whole career. I'm at this level now and I'm determined to stay here.
"I have tons of respect for what Sergio has achieved and the way he conducts himself outside of the ring.
"He is an excellent athlete and almost universally regarded as the best boxer on the planet outside of Mayweather and Pacquiao.
"But I'm going to war right from round one and I have the youth, strength, size and desire to walk through anything Sergio has.
"I will go through walls on St. Patrick's Day to win this fight and I'll set a pace from the very first bell that Sergio won't be able to cope with."
Martinez, 36, is widely regarded as the world's third-best pound-for-pound fighter behind Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who are trying to negotiate a showdown in May.
The South American southpaw saw a lucrative clash with Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jr fall through, but insists Macklin is now his sole focus.
"My goal is to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and March 17 is another step in that direction," said Martinez.
"Macklin is a very tough opponent and I know that he will make for a very exciting fight at Madison Square Garden.
