Mayweather (left) and Hatton are both unbeaten

The pair, who meet at the Las Vegas MGM Grand on 8 December, both claim they are the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Hatton stirred up the rivalry saying: "He is doing the show 'Dancing with the Stars' and that's how he's boxing."

Mayweather retorted by calling the Manchester boxer "Vicky Fatten" and suggesting he should be a wrestler.

Hatton arrived at the media conference wearing a crown, which showman Mayweather immediately snatched off.

The prize on offer in Las Vegas is Mayweather's WBC belt, and Hatton, 28, is confident he can get the job done.

When I am done with you I'll collect more and more in the future because I am the best in the world Floyd Mayweather

"I was delighted when I won my British title, then I got more and more and the world title," said Hatton, who is unbeaten in 43 fights.

"Now, this is going to be another stage. I have the toes to do this job, and I will do this job and become the new best pound-for-pound champion in the world."

Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 38 fights, spoke straight into an impervious Hatton's face during the event, saying: "Talk to me, talk to me."

606: DEBATE There is no way on earth Mayweather will knock Hatton out. NO WAY UTA

The 30-year-old American said: "You'll get a big pay cheque, and when I am done with you I'll collect more and more in the future because I am the best in the world."

Mayweather is a six-time world champion in five weight divisions, including super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight.

Hatton has also been successful across the weight divisions winning multiple world titles at light welterweight and welterweight.

The Manchester boxer enhanced his reputation as a ruthless boxer with victories over Kostya Tszyu (for the IBF light welterweight crown in 2005) and Jose Luis Castillo in 2007, when he became the first fighter to put the Mexican down.

Tickets for the fight, which range from $150 �75) to $1000 (�500), sold out within minutes when they went on sale on Monday.

"A quick sale was expected but it is, even so, an indicator of the scale of the interest within the boxing world and beyond for this fight," said 5live boxing commentator Mike Costello.

The bad news for Hatton fans hoping to watch the bout live is that they have been allocated only 3,900 of the 17,000 tickets available.

And Costello added the Hatton camp had already had more than 30,000 requests for those tickets.

"I am proud of this, but very sorry for all my fans - 10,000 people always follow my fights and most of them won't get a ticket," said Hatton.

One American website is offering two ringside seats for just less than $22,000 (�11,000) each.

But for those without the MGM will set up 50,000 seats for big-screen coverage throughout their other Las Vegas hotels.