The trash-talking has already begun between Luke Humphries and Peter Wright, more than 24 hours before the darting giants face off in a mouth-watering last-16 tie at the World Championship.
Number one-ranked Humphries won last year’s edition of darts’ finest contest, beating 16-year-old Luke Littler in a classic final before embarking on a successful 2024 which has saw him lift the World Matchplay.
Wright, who at 54 is 25 years his adversary’s senior, has two world titles to his name – in 2020 and 2022 – but is currently ranked 19th in the world.
Englishman Humphries has cruised through the World Championship this year, beating Nick Kenny in straight sets on Friday night having soared past Thibault Tricole 3-0 in his opening match before Christmas.
His upcoming Scottish opponent stoically battled illness to inch past Jermaine Wattimena 4-2 last night. He beat Wesley Plaisier 3-1 in his first game.
The two stars of the oche face off on Sunday in a much-hyped clash and have already been exchanging barbs as the mind games commence.
Last year’s world champion Luke Humphries has hit back at trash talk from Peter Wright
The Scot suggested he could play a lot better than Humphries or teen sensation Luke Littler
The feud is set to continue after the world number one set up a last-16 clash with Wright
Wright said last week: ‘Who drives me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. Because I know I can still compete with them.
‘You know, what I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.’
The eight-time major title winner looked into his crystal ball to give his verdict on how 17-year-old Humphries’ tournament would end this time around but the prediction proved somewhat incorrect.
‘These little old guys can still do it. I believe Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] will beat Luke [Humphries] and me and Barney will have the best game ever you’ve seen on that stage.’
Van Barneveld was knocked out of this year’s World Championship by Kenny in the second round, meaning he never ended up facing Humphries.
Last year’s champion then hit back with some fighting talk of his own, suggesting that he was on the cusp of equalling what Wright had achieved in the game already.
‘How many times have people said, “this is going to happen and this going to happen”, and it never happens?’ he responded.
‘I think Peter loves to play the mind games but it doesn’t work with me.
He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with the two-time champion
Wright, meanwhile, battled illness to overcome Jermaine Wattimena and make the next round
The Scot won the World Championship in 2020 and 2022 and is 25 years Humphries’ senior
‘I’m one world title from almost matching his career and I’m 25 years younger so I think one world title would sort of match everything he has achieved in the game.’
While there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening.
Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat van Barneveld in the previous round and the world number one did not need to be anywhere near his best.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his prolific win against Kenny, Humphries said: ‘It was one of those games where I didn’t want to take it for granted. He played a lot better and he was relaxed. I was expecting a tough game.
‘I knew I wasn’t firing I suspected there was so much more to give, but it just wasn’t coming out of me. It was a solid performance, as long as I keep winning every set that is all that matters.
‘I don’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight.
‘It is not my best but when someone pushes me I know I can provide the goods.
‘The thing I’ve developed the most is confidence under pressure and still winning when not at my best. A lot of people would live for an average of 98.5.
Wright wrongly predicted fellow veteran Raymond van Barneveld would go on a run this year
Luke Littler also revealed why he is growing ‘frustrated’ at the World Darts Championship
The 17-year-old broke down into tears after his third-round win over Ryan Meikle on Saturday
‘Peter Wright in the next round, I’m looking forward to that, trust me. He said he doesn’t fear me and Luke Littler so we’ll see in the next round.’
Today sees Littler return to the oche and after his second-round win against Ryan Meikle, the teen sensation revealed why he is becoming ‘frustrated’ in the tournament – though it’s not for the worst reason.
‘It’s definitely becoming a frustration in a good way,’ he said. ‘Obviously, as soon as you make the switch to the treble 19, your eyes light up.
‘I heard the camera pan around to the winner, so I’m sorry whoever you are! I’ll try again.’
Littler was talking about his nine-darter attempt, in which he once again missed double 12 to finish a leg in the fewest number of darts possible.
