Ivana Habazin criticised "disrespectful" talk surrounding a blockbuster clash between Lauren Price and Natasha Jonas and insists she is planning to spoil the party during Saturday's unification clash.
Habazin will fight Jonas for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles in the headline event at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre while Price is gearing up to defend her WBA welterweight world title against Bexcy Mateus, the show billed 'Collision Course' in view of a potential fight between the British rivals next year.
"Let me tell you, I have been fighting in many big fights and promotions, but this is kind of disrespectful because all these talks of Jonas and Price, I'm a f****** world champion," said Habazin.
"All this talk is like nobody respects me, that should never happen, it's disrespectful to me and Tasha because we are fighting.
"I came here to fight, I believe in myself, I'm here to flip the script!"
Boxxer promoter and CEO Ben Shalom responded by assuring that the respective victors of Saturday's fights will themselves meet in the ring.
Habazin is 23-5 as a professional, among her defeats being Claressa Shields and Cecilia Brækhus, while Mateus enters her contest against Price with both fighters 7-0.
"It's called Collision Course because the winners will fight the winners, the winners will be facing off, it's sport and anything can happen," said Shalom.
"Of course Tasha with the momentum and wins and crowd, she'll be looking to win, I know from Ivana this was the fight they wanted and begged for.
"They are looking to unify the titles themselves and to make that Lauren Price fight themselves."
Jonas displayed visible admiration for Habazin's comments during the press conference and, while acknowledging that a fight with Price likely awaits, insisted she will not look beyond Saturday's test.
"I'm contracted to do that fight, that's the fight I've signed up for, but so many things happen and you have to win the fight in front of you," said Jonas.
"Like Habazin said it's disrespectful to keep mentioning me and Lauren in front of her before Saturday.
Pressed for a prediction, she added: "I'm going to get the win, that's it."
Habazin beckons as a tried-and-tested obstacle standing between Jonas and a monumental domestic fight night in 2025.
"I think she's a great boxer, great fundamentals, but everything she does I think I'm better at," said Jonas.
Price is meanwhile fighting for the first time since beating Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff to clinch the WBA and IBO welterweight titles in May.
The Olympic champion did not shy from setting her sights on a showdown with Jonas in the new year.
"That's a silly question, of course I want that fight!" she said. "I have respect for Tash and it's a great British fight, we both have a job to do Saturday and I believe we both do that in style.
"But 2025 is a big year, when I turned over I wanted to create greatness and create a legacy and follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe, that's a massive fight for not only women's boxing but boxing in general."
Jonas vs Habazin live on Sky Sports
Watch Natasha Jonas vs Ivana Habazin and Lauren Price vs Bexcy Mateus on December 14, live on Sky Sports+ from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm, or follow updates via our dedicated live blog on the Sky Sports website and app.
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