Oleksandr Usyk suggested Daniel Dubois has deliberately accused him of cheating to ramp up the pre-fight tensions.
Usyk and Dubois will meet for the second time this weekend with the undisputed heavyweight titles on the line at Wembley Stadium.
The pair have a big history having first met in 2023, a fight that ended in huge controversy after Usyk was floored by a low blow which was ruled as illegal.
A fierce debate rumbles on as to whether it broke boxing’s strict rules, but Dubois and his team including trainer Don Charles accused Usyk of cheating.
Suggestions from the Briton’s team is that Usyk deliberately took the time to recover from the shot to force the referee to dismiss a potential knockdown count.
It has caused a new rift between Usyk and Dubois, with the fighters themselves clashing during their appearance at the talkSPORT towers in April.
In a fresh interview with talkSPORT, the Ukrainian believes it is simply a ploy to try to get into his head before the match-up.
“No [they didn’t get under my skin],” Usyk clarified.
“It doesn’t matter I’m not a cheater. I think it is just pre-fight mind games from his team.
“But I love to play the mind games, I also like playing football, counter-strike and pre-fight games.
“But it is my rules, I’m the king of the division. I think it’s possible to get under my skin, but only me knows how.”
Charles let loose on Usyk in a fiery rant at the launch press conference.
But the Ukrainian was largely unmoved albeit the claim drew a response from members of his team.
The low blow has been a huge point of contention for the boxing fraternity, with Dubois and his camp still feeling aggrieved by the verdict.
An appeal was rejected at the time, but now Dubois gets his shot at redemption and a place in the history books.
The tensions have been turned up to a new level since the sequel was confirmed.
Dubois pushed Usyk as things threatened to spiral out of control.
At the latest media day, the Briton screamed in his rival’s face once again but he didn’t move a muscle.
Usyk goes in with the pressure on his shoulder as the favourite to taste victory.
Dubois is much improved since their first meeting, and scored a career-best KO victory over Anthony Joshua in his previous outing last September.
But Usyk is ready for all eventualities, albeit he expects to stop Dubois before he can hear the final bell.
He continued: “Daniel is a young guy, he is dangerous every time because he has a big punch and good boxing skills.
“I have prepared well for this fight. I prepare every time for 12 rounds.
“With my coach and team I always do, but if I have a chance I will do it.
“Yes of course I believe I will do it.”