Tommy Fury has hinted that he did not give his all against previous opponent Anthony Taylor in order to get Jake Paul to agree to fight him.
The two will clash in the ring on December 18 in Tampa, Florida, having gone back and forth for months with the boxers fighting on the same undercard in August.
Fury would defeat Paul's sparring partner Taylor on the night, before Paul would go on to defeat Tyron Woodley - both earning their victories on point decisions.
Although coming away victorious, many were unimpressed with Tommy Fury's performance on the night - as he was unable to inflict too much damage on the smaller Taylor.
After being asked about his previous bout, the Manchester-born Fury has now hinted that he did not give his all in the victory.
Speaking to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions, Fury said: "You have to do certain things to get certain fights, if you know what I am trying to say to you.
"If they've been stupid enough to fall for that trap, and I am sitting here right now which means they have, let them keep watching that fight.
"I'm going to come out like a different caged animal for this fight - I have got what I wanted.
"Knocking his sparring partner out, would I have got what I wanted? No, he'd have ran a million miles.
"This games' about brains, and I have a lot more than he has."
Fury has been made the favourite by the oddsmakers ahead of the December 18 fight, and although he was unable to knockout Taylor, he has given a confident prediction ahead of the blockbuster clash.
When asked for his prediction, he said: "A big, dirty knockout.
"I'm not going here for a points win - you think I'm gonna let this go for points?
"I'm going for a highlight knockout and then I'm gonna come home and enjoy my Christmas."
