Reigning WBC heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury, says the boxing world should "laugh" at him if he is beaten by Francis Ngannou in their fight in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
Fury, 35, will face former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou, who has no professional record in boxing.
The French-Cameroonian Ngannou's record in MMA stands at 17 wins in 20 fights.
Briton Fury's WBC title will not be on the line against against Ngannou.
"I need to be on my A-game," Fury said. "There's more on the line now than in a boxing fight."
Fury and 37-year-old Ngannou came face-to-face at a news conference on Thursday in London, which was heavily saturated by references and compliments to Saudi Arabia.
The country has been criticised for using sport to sportwash their image and have reportedly paid millions to bring Fury's bout with Ngannou to the region.
Their contest will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system.
Fury is a two-time world champion and defeated Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December to extend his unbeaten record to 33 wins and one draw.
"If I lose to an MMA guy I'll never be able to show my face in public again," he added. "It's going to ridicule me - people will chuck it at me forever.
The Morecambe fighter's decision to fight boxing novice Ngannou rather than a credible opponent has been lambasted by purists, particularly after super fights against Anthony Joshua and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk could not be agreed.
"There's more riding on this than ever before," Fury said.
"Whether the media want to take it as a joke, make no mistake Tyson Fury will leave zero stones unturned and I will come in as my fittest and strongest I've ever been to defeat this man.
"If I'm not and I get knocked out, then I want you all to laugh at me. That's what I want, because I deserve it."
Caption: Tyson Fury (left) and Francis Ngannou, during a news conference on Thursday in London, ahead of their October 28 bout in Saudi Arabia.
