Dave Allen believes Arslanbek Makhmudov is a tougher test than Johnny Fisher, comparing them to Premier League and League Two clubs.
'The White Rhino' battles the 'Lion' in a monster homecoming show at Utilita Arena Sheffield tonight, bidding for the biggest win of his career, live on DAZN.
Allen's path to the bout came after he dispatched Fisher, his former sparring partner, inside five rounds in a London rematch earlier this year.
Now, the star believes there is a clear gulf in class between his last foe and his next, in a bracingly honest assessment of his own abilities.
"League Two is a good standard," he exclusively told DAZN News. "That's not disparaging Johnny. He's still a very good fighter.
"I've played some good Saturday league teams and they were hard work, never mind League Two. But this fellow is another level.
"He's around the Premier League, he's around the top twenty, and he's probably one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
"It's a big challenge. I've never won at this level. I may have won at the Championship, had a couple of draws. This is a big step-up for me.
"The British boxing public, they've really taken to me and they believe in me, but if you ask folks in the know, they'll make him the favourite.
"I'm ready to leave it all in there. I'm stubborn. My physical attributes aren't the best but I think I'm honest. I'm not the best at anything,
"I'm pretty solid. Some guys have ten out of ten attributes, and some that are two or three. I'm probably sixes and sevens across the board."
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.