I'd kinda doubt that he called him that at a press conference. Since he "heard it from a friend" I wouldn't be surprised if that friend just told him that to get him angry. But what do I know, he may have actually said it.

Just looking at Briggs and how big and bulked up he is it definitely seems like getting Sergei early would be the best way to go, would doubt he has the stamina to keep it up for 12 rounds.