Mexican Carlos Ocampo has taken a swipe at Tim Tszyu’s punching power – and promised to knock him cold — during a wild open workout session where two fighters had to be separated and microphones were almost cut.

Security for promoters No Limit were forced to rush a makeshift ring set up inside the Gold Coast’s Pacific Fair on Thursday to separate warring featherweights Rocky Ogden and Mark Schleibs.

At one point the pair came within inches of one another, shouting and threatening to punch on as security rushed in, with the undefeated Ogden admitting to Fox Sports Australia afterwards “I wanted to crack him in the head right there”.

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Schleibs, meanwhile, also stated he would now amp things up at Friday’s press conference slated for the same venue, saying: “It’s about to get more f…ing spicy, trust me”.

The shock showdown between the two fighters came shortly before Ocampo also promised to end Tszyu’s dream of facing undisputed division king, Jermell Charlo later this year.

Mexico’s No1 super welterweight also took a subtle swipe at the undefeated Aussie, who he insisted is not in the same class as his Hall of Fame father, Kostya.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia via an interpreter, Ocampo was asked what he made of the storyline surrounding Kostya having been undefeated against Mexicans, including the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez.

“I know about him (Kostya) and what he’s done,” the challenger said.

“But Tim is not his father.

“The father was a lot stronger. Had a lot more knockout power.

“So this is going to be a very different outcome.”

Tszyu, meanwhile, worked out without drama and joked with journalists afterwards, although only before conceding Ocampo would be a tougher test than even his most recent opponent, American former world champ Tony Harrison.

Ocampo, meanwhile, was also nonplussed when asked about Tszyu’s promise to knock him out within five rounds, replying: “Doesn’t scare me at all.

“If anything it could go the other way, so be ready.

“I have the power to knock him out and I’m taking that title back to Mexico.”

Back on the undercard stoush, and Ogden revealed it all stemmed from a chance meeting 24 hours earlier, when the pair crossed paths inside an elevator at The Star casino, where most of the fighters are staying.

While that exchange had been cordial, the Queenslander said he was then shocked to hear Schleibs sledging him during his open workout.

Ogden is currently undefeated in five fights – and has already claimed two national titles — while Schleibs (12-1) is returning from a layoff of two years, with only loss being against rising Australian star Brock Jarvis.

With both fighters still mic’d up as part of the Main Event coverage as Ogden worked out, and easily heard, the jawing gradually amped up until the Gold Coast local stopped his padwork and leapt from the ring.

At one point he even shouted at Schleibs to “go ask your missus” – a direct reference to what had taken place in the elevator — while the Melburnian replied with a couple of f-bombs that almost saw the microphones cut.

Asked about the statement afterwards, Ogden said: “At the time she was dead silent.

“She realised who the real man was in that elevator … and it wasn’t him.”

Pushed on the casino confrontation, he continued: “When we were alone in the elevator, he only had nice things to say to me.

“Said he respected me. Was keeping it real.

“Yet now we get here today and he wants to talk all this s…

“When I was in the ring doing pads, the whole time he was talking.

“I could hear him in the background, yapping away, and thought ‘I’ve got to get out there, get closer to him’.

“I wanted to crack him in the head right there.

“But it’s better if I wait until Sunday and knock this clown out in front of everyone.”

Asked for his own version of events, Schleibs said: “I saw him in the elevator last night and showed respect, that’s it.

“And if anyone bitched, it was him.

“He was looking away when I approached.

“But I’m excited for this fight and just want to put on a show. This is my big comeback and I’ve got the perfect opponent for it.”

Quizzed on the dig about his partner, the Melbourne fighter laughed: “Now I’m going to have to smash him for looking at my missus.

“But anyway, why am I the p….y?

“I’ve moved up two weight classes to take this fight.

“And on four weeks notice.

“He’s already a two-division Australian champion and here I am taking him on in his own hometown.

“So c’mon, bro, if I didn’t have the balls that I do, he wouldn’t even have this f…ing fight.

“But he did nothing today. I walked towards him and he did nothing.”

Ogden, meanwhile, said the last time that Schleibs fought “he gave up against Brock Jarvis”.

“And now he’s trying to come back like he’s the man?” he shrugged. “He ain’t the man.

“And I’m going to punish this guy. He’s going to remember me.”

Tszyu, meanwhile, was far more complimentary of the man promising to end his push towards a blockbuster unification bout against American Jermell Charlo, suggesting Ocampo looked “like a warrior, not a bulls….er”.

And as for why he is a tougher test than Harrison?

“You know what that is?” Tszyu said, slapping his chest. “It’s heart … and he’s got it.”

So Harrison didn’t?

“Not as much,” he said. “He’s got more up top, brains.

“But Ocampo is here (hitting his chest again).

“You’re fighting with someone’s heart and that’s always tough.

“So I think this fight will be less strategic and more doghouse rules.”