Garth Wood insists he's not a dirty fighter, though opponent Daniel Geale has questioned some of his tactics in the lead-up to Wednesday's fight.
Wood will start a huge underdog against former WBA and IBF world champion Geale at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.
Geale didn't label Wood a dirty fighter at Monday's media conference, but said the bout could get rough and tough and suggested his opponent wasn't averse to ignoring the rule book.
"There are tactics that you use that aren't always within the rules; you come forward with your head down," Geale said to Wood.
"There's been times when you've headbutted guys and you've been headbutted yourself. That happens in any fight, but that's what you do."
Wood took umbrage at the suggestion he would employ illegal tactics, pointing to his disciplinary record inside the ring.
"In 17 fights, I've had one point deducted. What makes you think I'm a dirty fighter?" Wood said.
Wood conceded his style wasn't one for the pugilistic purists.
"When I first started boxing, I wasn't the prettiest boxer, but that's my artwork," Wood said.
"It's not everyone's cup of tea, my artwork, but if I can knock Daniel over and conquer him on Wednesday night, I'm sure that's going to become a masterpiece."
Wood's trainer Lincoln Hudson made it clear his charge wasn't going to engage Geale in a pure boxing match.
"Garth doesn't have the pedigree of Daniel Geale, so to try and outbox him is crazy," Hudson told AAP.
"To try and be messy is crazy, so the bottom line is Garth has got to punch what's in front of him and it's that simple - bash the crap out of him."
While it will be the first time in seven bouts Geale has fought without a world title on the line, he says he has prepared just the same.
"I'm in great condition. Mentally, I think I'm even better than I have been coming into my world title fights," Geale said.
"I know there were a couple of small issues going into the (Darren) Barker fight and we've changed that completely.
"I think I'm probably three or four times better at least than I was going into the Barker fight."
