Manfredo branded Calzaghe a "slapper" and warned his reign as world super-middleweight champion will end in front of his own fans next month.

But WBO champion Calzaghe said: "To be honest, I've heard it all before. Like everyone else who has come thinking they are going to beat me, Manfredo will go home defeated."

Calzaghe will be making the 20th defence of his title, equalling the record of ring legends Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins. And the 34-year-old, who is unbeaten in 42 professional "ghts, insists Manfredo, the runner-up on TV reality show The Contender, is unwise to mock him before their showdown.

Calzaghe added: "Manfredo can talk a good "ght but it's one thing to shout your mouth off in the build-up, but another to produce the goods in the ring. I've knocked out 31 opponents, which isn't bad for a slapper, and on 7 April, Manfredo will be number 32."