By Mark Vester

Most expected this to happen, and it sure did. Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe, clashed verbally throughout the day on Friday in Las Vegas. Observers would crowd around them and watch closely, anticipating one of them to begin throwing punches. The two would run into each other about an hour before the Floyd Mayweather Jr-Ricky Hatton weigh-in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They would trade words for about two-minutes before being pulled apart. During the actual weigh-in for Mayweather-Hatton, the two would begin trading words again as the pro-UK crowd would begin loud chants against Hopkins. The two fighters promised to fight on American soil in 2008.

"I'll never let a white boy beat me," Hopkins said after Calzaghe began to remind him of the two losses to Jermain Taylor. "The difference between us both is that I am a legend and he is a champion. He's never been outside his comfort zone and he's never fought anybody like me. I'm ready for this fight and it would be a huge fight at Yankee Stadium. There's no need for me to come to Europe because the US is where it's at. I want it and Calzaghe wants it so let's make it happen."

Calzaghe was a bit more calm than Hopkins.

"I've never met Hopkins before and it was great to get involved like that. I've come out to support Ricky but this was a bonus. I've been chasing the fight with Hopkins for years but he's always backed down. You heard him, he promised to make the fight this time and I'm happy to come to America to make it happen," Calzaghe said.

An account of the verbal exchange by media outlet AFP, showed the tensions rising and rising.

"Of course I'm going to take the fight," Calzaghe said.

"I'm going to take that 0 (losses) from you," Hopkins countered. "I'm a legend."

"I'm going to beat you wherever you want to fight," Calzaghe replied.

"I'm going to get you," Hopkins said. "I'm going to wreck your face."

"I've been fighting for 25 years. I (still) have this face for a reason," Calzaghe said.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com