Lawrence Okolie admits Chris Billam-Smith is a 'strong guy' but claims there is 'only so much physical pain' the 32-year-old can withstand before giving up on Saturday night.
Okolie will aim for a fourth successful defence of his WBO world cruiserweight title when he takes on his fellow Briton and former sparring partner, Billam-Smith, on May 27.
The fight comes as a quick turnaround for Okolie, who defeated New Zealand's David Light on a unanimous points decision in Manchester on March 25, extending his unbeaten record to 19 fights.
Okolie is confident he will beat his Billam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth and prove his former coach wrong after the Irish trainer said the 32-year-old would rise to the occasion better than The Sauce.