Chad Dawson insists Bernard Hopkins will have to "face his fears" in their eagerly-awaited rematch on April 28 in Atlantic City.
The two squared off back in October and it concluded in a storm of controversy when the fight came to a sudden end in the second round.
After Hopkins - the oldest man in boxing history to win a major world title - missed with a right hand, he ended up draped over Dawson's back and Dawson grabbed Hopkins by the leg, lifted him and shoved him down to the canvas.
Hopkins, 47, landed awkwardly on the edge of the ring, suffering what was later diagnosed as a dislocation of the joint connecting his left shoulder to his collarbone.
Although Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs) told the ringside doctor and referee Pat Russell while he was on the canvas that he could go on using one arm, the fight was halted.
Instead of ruling a no-decision because an unintentional foul had ended the fight, Russell said no foul had been committed and awarded Dawson a TKO victory.
Despite the outcome, the WBC kept Hopkins as its champion and later ordered a rematch.
But Hopkins appealed the decision to the California State Athletic Commission and the result was overturned to a no-decision at a hearing in December.
Now the two intend to settle their differences once again with 29-year-old Dawson (30-1, 17 KOs) supremely confident he will emerge as the winner.
"The first fight did not go as planned, but I'm confident I was going to win that night," said Dawson.
"Hopkins is going to have to face his fears. Bernard tried to run away from me, but here we are again. I'm thrilled about the whole situation.
"I'm very excited to fight on the East Coast because a lot of my fans will be there to see me live. I know I'll be ready come fight night."
But as the two met at a press conference in New York on Wednesday, veteran Hopkins believes he will continue his quest to be the oldest reigning champion ever - a record currently held by Archie Moore who made his last title defence at 47 years and seven months.
"Chad Dawson can say whatever he wants, but I am not going to trash talk this one," said Hopkins.
"Everyone knows what I am capable of in the ring. They have seen it over 50 times before in the last 20 plus years. I will say that I am really happy that my fans from across the country can see me continue this unprecedented path.
"I absolutely want to prove that I can beat Chad Dawson, another guy that is almost two decades younger than me and I am confident I will on April 28."
