By Jake Donovan

SAN ANTONIO - Chris Arreola and Travis Kauffman both showed up to Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference dressed in suit and tie, but it didn’t mean that either boxer intended to portray themselves as businessmen.

The former sparring partners are now heavyweights who stand in each other way as they meet at the crossroads Saturday evening at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. They are scheduled to appear in a 10-round bout live in primetime on NBC, but fans were nearly treated to a free preview when tempers flared and harsh words escalated to a brief, one-way shoving match.

The bout has gained additional attention in the past few days, perhaps even more so than the evening’s headliner – a 12-round bout between former lightweight champions Omar Figueroa and Antonio DeMarco, who have been nothing but cordial to one another throughout the promotion.

Arreola and Kauffman were initially one of two heavyweight fights on the NBC portion of the show – which is bookended by separate NBC Sports Network telecasts. That changed earlier this week, when Charles Martin withdrew from a crossroads bout with Dominic Breazeale in a matchup of unbeaten heavyweights, instead opting for a vacant title fight versus Vyacheslav Glazkov.

Breazeale is now off the show altogether, while at least one of the two remaining heavyweights on the card appear to be a bit off the rails.

Kauffman (30-1, 22KOs) claims to have never taken this weekend’s matchup as a necessary next step between friends who currently stand in each other’s way. His opponent clearly isn’t as quick to share that viewpoint, citing recent history over their past time spent together.

“I just don't like all those little jabs coming from him and his team,” Arreola (36-4-1, 31KOs) told BoxingScene.com after the press session. “If you're gonna talk shit, then talk shit - make it worth it, you know. Don't just say shit under your breath and then in front of me be all nice.”

The veteran heavyweight contender refers to not-so-subtle digs that Kauffman’s team – though not necessarily the fighter himself – has offered through social media and other circles.

Of course, Kauffman – through what he insisted was a stream of compliments during the press conference – did manage to throw shade at Arreola’s past training habits, though not without poking fun at himself in the process.

“This man is a personal friend of mine, but on Saturday night it's all business,” insisted Kauffman, who has won 12 straight following the lone loss of his career more than six years ago. “There's nothing personal about this fight. It's all business. He stands in my way and I stand in his way. The difference is - Chris has had many, many opportunities that Al Haymon has given him. He's been in the room and knocked on the door many times, but you have to take full advantage of it.

“The first time we went to camp I was 285 lbs. I was a little fat boy - but I'm sure Chris has seen that weight many times.”

A grand total of none of that seemed to sit well with Arreola, who – for what it’s worth – appears to be in peak physical condition for this fight after having let his weight go in the past.

“Let’s get this first thing straight,” Arreola said when introduced to the podium by the ubiquitous Ray Flores. “Al didn’t give me any opportunity. Every fight I made it worth my while. Nothing was ever given to me.”

Things never calmed down from there, despite the grin both boxers wore while the other spoke.

“This isn’t an easy test. I know that Chris won’t quit,” Kauffman acknowledged. I'm here to do something nobody else has done before - and that's make him quit. My name is Travis “My Time” Kauffman, this is my time to shine. Like I said, this isn’t personal; Chris is just standing in the way of the money I want to make.”

Naturally, Arreola felt the need to correct his younger foe.

“He thinks I’m done, that I just party,” claims Arreola, a former title challenger who is coming off of a disappointing 10-round draw with Fred Kassi in July. “Now I admit, I do enjoy partying. That being said, come this Saturday I’m gonna party like a mother****r. We coming into the ring in 10 oz. gloves, no headgear. This ain’t no cakewalk, I promise you.

“The reason I trained so hard for you, I know he’s a tough fighter. He’s gonna get a rude awakening. I’m f***ing him up. I’m the Grinch, I’m stealing his Christmas. You said that I’m standing in the way of you making money. No, I’m making you money. I’ve made you money. I paid you. You’re my employee, remember that!”

As Arreola attempted to verbally assault his forthcoming opponent, actual contact came as the two fighters were ordered to pose for the obligatory staredown.

“I'm gonna f*** you up,” Arreola repeatedly told Kauffman as the two were nose-to-nose. “I'll talk as much as I want, because I know what I'm gonna do - I'm gonna f*** you up.”

Kauffman dismissed the trash talk, instead one-upping Arreola by jumping in front of him when the two were ordered to pose side-by-side for photos.

“Look at this motherfucker,” Arreola laughed off the gesture before theorizing his opponent’s training camp. “Every day, he went into a camp in a sweat suit to cut weight. I went in shorts and a T-shirt.”

Kauffman’s reply was more succinct, though also a comment based on a guess.

“I didn't go to camp to make weight; you did.”

Arreola’s reply was the last words spoken between the two on stage.

“I went into camp to kick your ass, to f***you up! That's what I went to camp for. That's what I went to camp for, bitch,” insisted the 34-year old heavyweight before offering a shove to Kauffman’s chest.

The gesture sparked a mass reaction from the crowd on hand taking it all in, though the two were separated by ace publicist Bernie Barhmasel and Kauffman’s trainer Brother Nazim Richardson before the incident developed into anything more.

For whatever it’s worth, Arreola later apologized to Kauffman and his team for his actions, insisting he was just playing around and had no intention of starting a fight on stage.

One of the two will have final say on Saturday night… although of course there is still Friday’s weigh-in to get through.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox