Bitter boxing rivals Paul "Showtime" Fleming and Billel "Babyface" Dib will be fighting for much more than their growing families in a spicily dubbed "Bad Blood" bout in Sydney.
Desperate to improve his ranking and move closer to a world title shot, the undefeated Fleming (28-0-1,18 KOs) and Dib (26-3, 13 KOs) will be jousting for the IBF Pan-Pacific super-featherweight title in Penrith on November 30.
"There's a lot on the line. A lot at stake and the loser of this fight is not going anywhere," Dib told AAP after an angry war of words between the pair on Wednesday.
The two have a long history.
In the last 10 years, Fleming and Dib have climbed the super featherweight ranks together and formed a friendship on the way to the top while never having fought each other.
But when the pandemic-induced border restrictions stopped them from travelling, the locals knew it was the perfect opportunity to fight.
Dib said: "Fleming called me one night and said 'we both can't travel, we're two of the best super featherweights in the country, why don't we fight each other - keep our friendship and our brotherhood aside and make some money for our families,'" said Dib.
"Everything was cool and smooth sailing until he started switching the narrative and lying."
He says the father-of-six kept shying away from the fight and fed lines to the media about their delayed match-up.
"He uses (family) as an excuse for everything," said Dib.
Fleming, though, says his opponent instigated their feud.
"There's bad blood because he brought it in. I never had it, but I'll accommodate it," he told AAP.
"I don't have to see an enemy on the other side of the ring.
"I'm usually respectful but I'm not going to sit there and cop it."
Dib and Fleming are two of the country's best super featherweight boxers, ranked fourth and second respectively.
Fleming also holds the IBO Inter-Continental Super Feather belt.
But Dib isn't intimidated.
"I honestly believe I can beat him in any style that I want. I feel like I could bang him if he wants to bang and I can box if he wants to box.
"He can definitely fight - I won't take that away from him. But I can as well and I think it's going to make for an entertaining fight."
