Kell Brook feels he is moving within touching distance of realising his world-title dream.
Brook will fight American Carson Jones in an eliminator for the IBF welterweight title on July 7 with the winner expected to meet Mike Jones or Randall Bailey, who fight in June, for the belt later in the year.
The Sheffield fighter has long been talked of as a potential world-beater and after seeing off domestic rival Matthew Hatton last time out he is now ready to meet the higher-ranked Jones in his hometown.
The 26-year-old said: "It's a big fight. Carson Jones is ranked higher than me (third as opposed to fifth) and the winner basically goes on to fight for the world title against the winner of Bailey and Jones.
"I'm two fights away from being a world champion now. I've dreamed about this since I was nine years old and so this will be one of the biggest fights of my life."
Brook came face-to-face with his opponent on Tuesday and said: "He's said the things he's going to do and that he'll come to my city and do things to me.
"In my last fight I was a bit too nice with Matthew Hatton but in this one, you're going to see the nasty side of me and he's going to get taken out.
"This kid is going to get taken out in style. It's not going 12 rounds. It's going to live up to expectations and an amazing fight.
"Carson Jones, you need to train hard mate!"
At a lively press conference, Jones (34-8-2, 24KO wins) warned Brook not to overlook him.
"Thank you, Kell Brook, for making this huge mistake," he said.
"A lot of your fans are saying a lot but when it comes down to it, you're the only person in the ring and the only person that can fight. Please, please, I'm asking - I'm begging you - please come straight forward and fight like you say you're going to do.
"Because you might be a beast, but I'm a monster. On July 7 I'll show you.
"I'm sure there are going to be 9,995 Kell Brook fans and about five Carson Jones fans but I'm still going to whoop his ass on the night."
Brook (27-0, 18KOs) responded to Jones' taunts in kind.
"We're going to war, mate," he promised. "We'll stand in the middle of the ring and go toe-to-toe. No backward steps."
Brook will be supported by two European title fights on the undercard at the Motorpoint Arena, while amateur star Kal Yafai makes his professional debut on the bill.
