Defending champion and top seed Humphries has progressed smoothly through the tournament and now faces Wright, a two-time world champion in 2020 and 2022.
However, the build-up to their clash has been anything but cordial, with Wright writing off Humphries’ chances early in the tournament, leading to heated verbal exchanges during press conferences.
The tension will finally come to a head as only one of these champions will remain standing after tonight’s highly anticipated match.
Wright, known as “Snakebite,” previously said: “I know I can still compete with them. You know, what I’m doing in practice is I can compete with these guys and actually be better than them.
“People think, ‘Oh, he should retire, he should go on the old people’s tour (the seniors’ tour). No, I’m not ready for that yet. I’m willing to bother Luke Littler. “I’m here to bother Luke Humphries.”
In response, Humphries, who is yet to lose a set in his first two matches at Alexandra Palace, replied: “If I don’t fear someone, I don’t keep mentioning them all the time. He’s had a lot to say over the last few weeks, where he says he’s not afraid of Luke Littler and me, but he said he’s going to crush us.
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“The pressure is on him now because if he doesn’t do it then the egg will be on his face, not mine. I’m very, very relaxed, and if he doesn’t beat us then it will seem silly to him, not to me.
“I’m one world title away from almost matching his career, and I’m about 25 years younger, so I think a world title would equal everything he’s accomplished in the game.”
In another high-stakes showdown, two of the sport’s top ten favorites, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, will also go head to head.
Price, a former tournament winner, thrives in high-pressure situations and has often adopted the role of the audience’s “pantomime villain.”
The afternoon session will feature matches featuring Jeffrey de Graaf, Kevin Doets and Dimitri Van den Bergh. The evening’s programming begins with Ricky Evans facing Robert Owens, followed by the clash between Clayton and Price, and culminating with the main event: Humphries against Wright.
