Violence erupts at title fight press conference

DERECK Chisora threw a desk at Dillian Whyte as a fractious press conference to preview their British heavyweight title fight ended in chaos and violence.

The bad blood between the pair was evident throughout an expletive-laden and insult-filled 20-minute session at a Manchester hotel with Whyte, 28, claiming he could kill his rival before Chisora eventually snapped.

The 32-year-old banged his fist on the table and then picked it up to hurl it in Whyte’s direction before unseemly scuffles broke out involving various people i n attendance, i ncluding security staff.

The two fighters are due to meet in the ring on the undercard to Saturday’s clash between Anthony Joshua and Eric Molina in a bout in Manchester also billed as a WBC title eliminator.

The press conference had been regarded as high risk by many in attendance with the pair having to be separated after clashing on a Sky Sports TV programme to promote the fight.

Chisora has a history of bad behaviour outside the ring having clashed with David Haye in a press conference four years ago.

This latest incident also throws the spotlight further on the British fight scene just a week after unedifying incidents involving Haye and his next opponent Tony Bellew.

Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, said: “There will be action taken and I am in the process of dealing with it now.”

The two fighters are due to meet again for the weigh-in tomorrow when it is expected security will be stepped up.

Whyte, who carries the British belt into the fight, has won 19 of his 20 contests. Chisora has lost six times in his 32 professional appearances.