LAS VEGAS (REUTERS) - Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr declared a truce on Wednesday after weeks of vicious verbal attacks, offering praise instead of profanities at the final press conference ahead of their much-anticipated fight.

Since the fight between undefeated boxer Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion McGregor was announced in June, the two men have taken part in a profanity-laced world tour to hype a bout that has been met with both skepticism and excitement.

The final press conference ahead of Saturday's fight, however, was closer to a love-in than a battle field with Mayweather, in particular, complimenting the man who has questioned everything from his manhood to his fashion sense.

"Conor McGregor had a hell of a career, he's still got a hell of a career," said Mayweather. "He's a hell of a fighter, he's a stand up guy, a tough competitor.

"It's not going to be an easy fight. There will be blood sweat and tears Saturday."

McGregor was far less effusive in his compliments but after months of mercilessly attacking Mayweather, said he welcomed the pause in hostilities.

"There's been a lot of crazy press conferences, this is a lot more subdued, a lot more business like the way I like it ... sometimes," said McGregor.

After the two had turned the air blue with profanity during the earlier media tour, Mayweather went the entire press conference on Wednesday without swearing.

McGregor could not hold his tongue but saved his venom for a member of Mayweather's "Money Team" who taunted him from the audience, telling him he was going to be knocked out.

"Not by you, whoever you are," countered McGregor. "Tell that bitch to shut up," the Irishman growled while looking at Mayweather, who later chastised the member of his team.

The restrained tone of Wednesday's media conference underscored the high stakes of what is expected to be the richest fight in boxing with McGregor in line for a US$100 million (S$136 million) payday and Mayweather as much as US$200 million.

While boxing purists and pundits have denounced the fight as nothing more than a laughable cash grab, it has nonetheless captured the fascination of fans.

Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza said the fight, which will be distributed in more than 200 countries, is on pace to smash pay per view records.

While the fiery rhetoric was toned down, both remain confident of the outcome.

"I will go forward, I will put the pressure on him and break this old man," said McGregor, who said he expected to end the 12-round bout inside two rounds. "Trust me on that.

"I am going to outbox this man at his own game."

The only message Mayweather had for McGregor was his record reminding him that he was trying to do something that no one has ever been able to do - beat him.

"I know one thing I can do I can fight," said Mayweather. "I can give it and I can take it.

"But for me to be 49-0 it is obvious I have been giving it and not receiving it.

"Anything and everything in boxing that can be done, I've done it. I was born a fighter, I will die a fighter."

StarHub will telecast the weigh-in live on Saturday (Aug 26) at 6am on Hub Sports PPV HD (StarHub TV Channel 218) and StarHub Go.

Here are the listings for the weigh-in, the preliminaries and the fight card:

Aug 27: 7am to 9am - Prelims

Juan Heraldez vs Jose Borrego (Welterweight, 10 rounds)

Thomas Dulorme vs Yordenis Ugas (Welterweight, 10 rounds)

9am to 1pm - Fight Card

Andrew Tabiti v Steve Cunningham (USBA/NABF Cruiserweight Championship, 10 rounds)

Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack (WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship, 12 rounds)

Gervonta Davis vs Francisco Fonseca (IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship, 12 rounds)

Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor (Super Welterweight, 12 rounds)

The early bird promotion is over, so the PPV is available for $49.95 (w/GST) for TV and StarHub Go Android app/web browser and $49.98 (w/GST) for StarHub Go iOS app.

For more information, visit www.starhub.com/boxing