John Docherty and Jack Cullen were the highlight of the final press conference before Saturday's big card at the SSE Arena in Wembley, headlined by a first-ever triple-header of women's world title fights.
The two will square off in an eliminator for a British super-middleweight title shot, with 'Doc' looking to continue his strong start to the professional ranks and Cullen hoping to land a Matchroom contract with a big win.
Press conference presenter Eddie Hearn sat between the two rivals and noted that Docherty has a reputation for trash-talking every opponent he's set to face. The Inverness-born fighter did not disappoint.
"He’s just another man in my way," said Docherty of Cullen. "I’m on my way to the British title, he’s stopping me and I’m gonna go through him just like Felix Cash did.
"I’m gonna put on a standout performance, a big performance, in the super-middleweight division.
"I’m not taking anything away from Jack Cullen, but I’m levels above him. I’m going to put him to sleep, as simple as that.
"My gameplan is to just smash him about the ring. He’s quit a few times. He turned his back on Felix Cash. I’m not just going to show my raw power. I’m going to box and I know for a fact he will quit on Saturday or I’ll knock him out."
Those fighting words did not impress Cullen, who last fought Zak Chelli to a draw at Matchroom Fight Camp.
He said of the trash-talk: "I’m not taking it personally because I think it’s a load of sh*t, to be honest.
"What he’s got to realize is that I’m not a middleweight anymore. I’m a super-middleweight and a big super-middle.
"I’m coming to win. I’m here to prove a point and beating John Docherty will show everyone how good I really am.
"He’s fought journeymen. He’s not fought anyone decent yet, and he’s gonna see on fight night how good I am.
Docherty, who halted Anthony Fox at the Fight Camp card a week prior to the Cullen-Chelli draw, did not take kindly to being the one on the verbal receiving end."Everyone you fought, who was decent, knocked you out," retorted 'Doc'. "You’re a clown.
"I have fought journeymen, I agree with that. But every time you fought a decent fighter, you were knocked out or quit.
"You got beat by a 4-0 kid. You turned your back. You turned your back against Felix Cash, as well. You’re getting smashed, you’ll see.
Cullen, who remained calmer than Docherty as things grew increasingly heated, claimed that his experience and natural size will make this like nothing his opponent has experienced so far."You learn by your mistakes," he explained, "and I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes. I’ve learned a lot from the last fight and this camp has gone perfect.
"I’m coming up to super-middleweight and I’m coming to smash you, John."
Docherty replied: "How are you going to smash me? You can’t smash anyone. Felix Cash has already stopped you, son. You quit."
Cullen came back: "All I see is a light, skinny middleweight, who is struggling at middleweight."
Docherty was losing his cool at this stage, and said: "You’re the same! You’re getting punished on Saturday. I’m coming after you."
Cullen disagreed that he was also struggling with the weight, alleging that Docherty was still having issues on Thursday.He said: "Who was here 10 minutes ago? It wasn’t you. You were up in your room trying to make weight."
"I was actually watching Netflix," barked Docherty, as someone off-stage advised 'Doc' not to rise to the bait.
Getting slightly back on topic, Cullen then admitted that victory is crucial if he is to earn a contract."I need to win this fight," he said. "This is where I wanna be. I want to be signed up by Matchroom as well, and I can get that by beating him.
Docherty then chimed in with: "That ain’t gonna happen. I’m gonna smash you to pieces."
While all eyes will deservedly be on the six women at the top of this historic show, Docherty and Cullen are promising to deliver some serious fireworks on the undercard.
Docherty vs. Cullen, on the undercard of Katie Taylor's undisputed lightweight title defense vs. Miriam Gutierrez, airs live and free to all viewers in the U.K. on Sky Sports and on DAZN in all nine DAZN markets including the U.S.