SUPER confident Charles Brewer has thrown down the gauntlet to Newbridge hero Joe Calzaghe by telling him: 'I'm the best super-middleweight around.'

And the 31-year-old from Philadelphia has further fuelled the fight flames by suggesting Calzaghe's five-year reign as WBO super-middleweight king has been flawed by his lack of top-drawer opponents.

Calzaghe, who has stopped 27 of his 37 victims, has been quick to counter, telling Brewer he will be made to pay when they go glove-to-glove at the Cardiff International Arena in 48-hours time.

Former IBF middleweight champion Brewer took the first swipe by declaring: "It's down to the wire now.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm the best super-middleweight in the division so I don't care if he's the champion.

"I'm fighting in his own country, fighting against all the odds, but I'm bringing my best into the ring and he needs to bring his best."

By far, the burning issue between the two fighters is who can take a punch and who's better at landing one.

Brewer is perceived as the man with the glass jaw after visiting the canvas three times during eight defeats over his 45-bout pro career, while Calzaghe's jaw is made of Welsh steel.

But 'The Hatchet' Brewer feels he packs a bigger punch than the 30-year-old Welshman. "I don't care what it says on his record," Brewer said. " I look at the people he has knocked out and who I have. Yes, he's got the higher percentage but there's a big difference in the way I knock people out."

Calzaghe considers Brewer to be one of his toughest assignments but is in no doubt over the final outcome, saying: "I've got a better punch resistance. I'm undefeated, I'm young and I'm just a better all round fighter.

"He may be No.2 in the world but I'm No.1, Talk is cheap and I'll do my talking in the ring on Saturday."