Luke Humphries has hit back at Peter Wright ahead of their clash on Sunday in the World Darts Championship.
Humphries is looking to defend the title after beating Luke Littler in a thrilling final in 2024.
He charged into the fourth round of the tournament with a straight-sets win over Nick Kenny on Friday.
That sets up a last-16 clash between the defending champion and two-time winner Peter Wright who, despite visibly battling illness, put in arguably his best performance of a difficult 2024 when he beat Jermaine Wattimena 4-2.
Wright’s pre-match “mind games” have stung Humphries into responding.
“He’s had a lot to say over the last couple of weeks, where he says he doesn’t fear me and Luke Littler. He says he’s going to smash us. All the pressure’s on him now because if he doesn’t the egg’s on his face not mine,” Humphries said of his next opponent.
“How many times have people said this is going to happen and this is going to happen and it never happens?
“I think Peter loves to play the mind games but it don’t work with me. I’m one world title away from almost matching his career and I’m about 25 years younger. So I think one [more] world title would match everything he’s achieved in the game.”
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Watch as Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Humphries take on the Sky Sports face mash challenge
He also believes Littler, 17, will not be rattled either. “I think he’s trying to play the mind games but unfortunately for him it won’t work for me and it probably won’t work for Luke. He [Wright] said he doesn’t fear us. But if I don’t fear someone I don’t keep mentioning them all the time,” Humphries said.
But he did concede the regard he also has for Wright. “He is a dangerous player,” Humphries said.
“I’m really looking forward to playing him. He’s a top guy, he’s a two-time former world champion. He’s got massive experience and I respect him a lot.”
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