Whittaker (12-0, 9 KOs) takes on Conor Wallace (17-1, 12 KOs), in a 12-round IBF 175-pound final eliminator at Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Saturday. Whitaker isn’t convinced the Australia-based Irishman is on his level. 

“I just think the difference between me and him is that he’s happy to be here; I’m meant to be here,” Whittaker said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“On Saturday it’s time to show out and show why I’m so good.”

Ranked No. 10 by The Ring, 29-year-old Whittaker will become the mandatory challenger for Dmitry Bivol’s IBF light heavyweight title if he gets past Wallace

“He’s game. He’s tough. He’s coming to change his life, but this is his World Cup. This is the final hurdle for him. This is just a stepping stone for me, and I’ve got to show that.”

Ring, IBF, WBA and WBO champion Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs), is focused on a December 12 title defense against former super middleweight champion Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Whittaker has looked spectacular since linking up with Andy Lee, but while confidence-boosting, quick-fire wins against the likes of Benjamin Gavazi, Braian Suarez and Richard Rivera have done wonders for his profile, they will do little to prepare him for a long, hard chess match with the technically brilliant and rock-solid Russian.

Whittaker understands how useful it would be to get rounds under his belt before taking on Bivol. 

“I’d love to do the rounds,” he said. “There’s nothing better than knocking someone out and being backstage eating a Five Guys and chilling out, but I think to get the rounds and to look good under the lights, the fans are paying their hard-earned money, it would be nice as well.”