The pair met to launch their bout that will take place at the venue on April 21 and Galllen wasn't shy in the press conference on the WEC floor, suggesting Browne's 29-2 record is "padded" and likening the WBA Regular title to a "reserve grade competition."

"Let's be clear of what he won, he won a 'version' of the world title," Gallen said.

"He wasn't the WBA champion at all he won a version of the world title and I liken it to a reserve grade competition in rugby league. If you win a reserve grade competition you don't run around telling everyone you won the NRL premiership, which is what he does.

"Full credit to him, it was a version, it was a regular world title but trying to compare himself to guys like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and things in that class, it just didn't happen. He's done well for what he's got, but to walk around calling himself a WBA world champion, I just don't buy it. [Against] Chagaev, we all know what happened there, he got it stripped.

"He almost got killed by one bloke [Dillian White]. When he takes a step up to that level, he's not at that level. It's a pretty padded record to be honest. He dogged the [Aussie heavyweight] Dempsey McKean fight, he's never faced guys like Alex Leapai, he won't fight guys he thinks will challenge him. That's a fact. I'm going to challenge him and I'm going to beat him."

It wasn't just a show for the cameras, with Gallen doubling down on the comments post-conference, telling The Mercury he doesn't feel the need to inflate the challenge awaiting him on April 21.

"I think he's done a great job for the ability that he's got, but I don't consider him to be the world champion he thinks he is, he's just not," Gallen said.

"I'm not just trying to take the piss out of him, it's a fact, he's not the WBA world champion. He won a regular title. There was probably a WBA world champion years ago no one could beat so they made this other one so they could make some more money.

"I'm just speaking honestly, he's not at that level. He's done really well for what ability he's got, as have I. I'm not trying to sit here and say I'm a great boxer, but I'm not going to sit here and consider him a world champion or pump his tyres up to make me look like I'm having a bigger fight.

"I'm having a big fight, we all know I'm having a big fight. It's a big occasion, there'll be a lot of people here, a lot of people watching at home on TV, it'll be a huge event on pay-per-view, but I don't need to be talking him or the situation up any more than that."

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Browne has also held the Australian and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and Gallen's blunt assessment goes some way to explaining the animosity between the pair.

"I don't really like what he says most of the time in regards to me, things like calling me a bum, saying he's got better things to do at the end of the year [than fight me]," Browne, who turned up to the press conference sporting a #bashgallen t-shirt, said.

"Full credit to him, he's done what he needs to do in the NRL side of things, played for Australia and everything else and now wants to test himself in boxing. It is what it is, he's one of those people like myself that always wants to be tested no matter what.

"Full respect to him, I still want to punch him in the face. The way that he says things, it does rub me the wrong way considering I am the best heavyweight we've had in Australia. I do think I need more respect than that but come April 21, I'll show him.

"He's going to feel me a hundred per cent, like the shirt says #bashgallen. I'm not going to try and box him over six rounds because it's not long enough. I actually want to go in there and hurt him and show him what boxing's about."

While he's less than impressed with Browne's resume, Gallen said he certainly does respect the 41-year-old's power. The former NSW Origin skipper showed a more than decent chin against MMA legend Mark Hunt in his last outing, wearing a shot in the second round that's stopped countless opponents throughout the 'Super Samoan's' storied career.

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He came back to win that bout my unanimous decision but hopes he won't have an answer to question of whether Browne packs a bigger punch.

"I don't want to find out to be honest with you," Gallen said.

"I'm not a guy who wants to stand there and test my chin or prove how tough I am. It's one thing my coach [Graham Shaw] always tells me, it's not a tough man contest, it's boxing. It's not about standing there and getting hit and hitting back, the idea's not to get hit.

"I don't really want to find out how big he can punch but I'll be in there and that's what makes boxing so great, it can change with just one punch. Lucas has that ability, I know that, and I've got to avoid it."