Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins both weighed in at 12 stones 5lbs (173lbs) ahead of their light-heavyweight showdown in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday morning (BST).

After the two men came in two pounds under the limit, they clashed in the traditional pre-match photo-call, with 43-year-old Hopkins telling the undefeated Calzaghe: "I'm going to bust your heart."

But for the first time this week, Calzaghe hit back with some insults of his own, with promoter Frank Warren saying: "That's exactly what I wanted."

Warren added: "Joe has never been better prepared and I'm confident he will do the job in style."

Calzaghe, who took to the stage wearing a Cardiff City football shirt, was backed by 4,000 fans - far outnumbering those supporting his American opponent at the Planet Hollywood casino.

He said: "Fighting out here has always been my destiny, and now is the perfect time to do it. I could have come over here five years ago but I might not have handled it as well as I am now.

"I might be a home boy at heart but I can handle it all. Nothing bothers me about coming here. I came here because of the challenge presented by beating Hopkins on his home ground. Lesser challenges do not interest me any more."

The Welsh fighter's fans chanted "Who are ya? Who are ya?" at Hopkins as he crossed his forearms in his "Executioner" stance.

Hopkins retorted: "He might throw thousands of punches but I'm a sniper.

"If he throws a thousand punches that leaves him open a thousand times. I'm the most accurate and pinpoint fighter there is."

Actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael J Fox joined the fighters on the stage, as did a number of boxers including Amir Khan.