Stephen McKenna and Lee Cutler separated by security at weigh-in ahead of Natasha Jonas unification fight

Stephen McKenna and Lee Cutler set the tone for a fight-of-the-night contender as the pair were separated by security after a fiery stare-down on Friday, while Natasha Jonas' trainer Joe Gallagher insisted this weekend should have been the world champion's farewell fight.

Both men tipped the scales at 10st 12lbs 5oz ahead of their highly-anticipated super-welterweight clash on the undercard of Natasha Jonas' unification fight against Ivana Habazin in Liverpool.

A back-and-forth war of words throughout the build-up turned into another icy face-off, Cutler sporting a beaming smile in the face of a steely-eyed McKenna before the pair exchanged pushes while posing at the front of the stage.

• Natasha Jonas gets Ivana Habazin world title unification
• Lauren Price to defend world title on Natasha Jonas bill
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"Search and destroy, I'm coming, he's going to feel the pain, he can build himself all he wants but it's only me and him," said McKenna.

"Deep down he knows I'm a big favourite and I'll knock Lee Cutler out.

"I'm going to be in the middle of the ring. If he wants to come and stand and fight, let's put on a show, but I think he'll pick his shots and run. I'm going to cut him down.

"Within three rounds, trust me. They'll be scraping him up from the canvas."

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McKenna repeatedly promised to knock Cutler out during Thursday's press conference and arrives on the back of a thrilling stoppage win over Joe Laws.

Cutler, meanwhile, vowed to present the toughest test of his counterpart's career.

"Chaos resumes tomorrow, we'll see tomorrow night," said Cutler.

"I don't care what he does, he can do whatever he wants. If he comes out and does what he did against Laws, or if he tries to box a bit. I'm 100 per cent a much better fighter than what he has faced.

"Let's get this done and then headline in Bournemouth."

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Gallagher: This should have been Jonas' last fight

Jonas and Habazin both weighed in at 10st 6lbs ahead of their IBF and WBC unified welterweight championship contest in what could represent the former's last show in her hometown Liverpool.

Habazin had vented her disapproval over constant talks surrounding a potential meeting between Jonas and Lauren Price at Thursday's press conference, and reiterated her stance again as she looks to scupper plans for a blockbuster domestic clash in 2025.

"If I wasn't sure I could win I wouldn't be here. I believe in myself, she's a great champion but I never duck anybody," said Habazin. "When people wrote me off, I came back victorious.

"People said I would retire in 2020, but I'm here and I'm going to win on Saturday night."

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Jonas' trainer Gallagher suggested this weekend should have represented something of a goodbye to boxing for the highly-decorated world champion.

"She's happy to be fighting, last time she fought here she started the year off brilliantly with a fantastic win over Mikaela Mayer, a big scalp and name you want on your record, and then this was to be Natasha's last year," said Gallagher.

"There was a fight pencilled in for May time which didn't happen, then it was July, then September and October, and now here we are in December.

"It's a shame really because this should have been her final fight, this was where we all come out, give her her roses, has her fight, whether it's against Mikaela here - Habazin was supposed to happen in the summer - the deal has been done for a long time.

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"We've got a really tough fight with Ivana Habazin, everybody has been overlooking her. I've been annoyed, stop bringing this Price-Jonas fight up, this isn't a gimme for Natasha Jonas."

Jonas applauded Habazin's remarks at the time and remains under no illusions as to the test facing her on Saturday night.

"We've seen her in tough battles, she's improved, she's got good fundamentals, but everything she does, I think we do better," said Jonas.

"We can talk about what happens next tomorrow."

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Price came in at 10st 6lbs ahead of her first world title defence against Bexcy Mateus, vowing to thrive on the pressure of evolving from hunter to the hunted as champion.

"I never really look too much into that, I know she's strong, tough, a bit raw, she'll come out at me but I just need to stick to my game-plan, go out and put on a performance," said Price.

"We saw [Jessica] McCaskill come out and was a bit raw in the first two rounds, but I got in a rhythm. I've just got to stick to my speed and skill and I'll come out on top.

"With pressure comes diamonds, I believe Saturday is no different."

Jonas vs Habazin live on Sky Sports

Watch Natasha Jonas vs Ivana Habazin and Lauren Price vs Bexcy Mateus on December 14, live on Sky Sports+ from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm, or follow updates via our dedicated live blog on the Sky Sports website and app.

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