Carl Froch felt Andre Ward was 'rattled' during their final press conference ahead of Saturday's Super Six final in Atlantic City.
The pair addressed the media prior to a staredown with Froch claiming early bragging rights.
Ward certainly appeared the more intense of the pair while the Briton's laid-back demeanour bodes well for fight week.
"I was quite surprised actually, he let his guard down mentally," he told Sky Sports News after the conference. "He was very uptight and very rattled and there's no reason to be.
"I've spoken the truth from the start, pointed out a few flaws in his style and a few things he does a bit aggressively, a bit naughtily with his head.
"It's dawning on him now that he's in the biggest and toughest fight of his life against someone who is brutally honest and brutal when I get in the ring. When I get through those ropes I'm going to be trying to knock him unconscious.
"He's a good fighter, a top level fighter and I'm not taking anything lightly. We are the best super-middleweights on the planet bar none, and we're fighting each other in a superfight, so it's great for the fans and great for the broadcasters.
"I'm so happy to be a part of it. When I came into this tournament I came in to win it and here I am in the final. I'm going to be retired for many, many years...so I want to enjoy it. I've prepared meticulously and I'm looking forward to putting on a show."
