Chisora throws table in pre-fight press conference with Whyte

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 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 in attendance, including 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.

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, promised the matter would be looked into.

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.

Initially it was announced by organisers Matchroom Sport that they would hold separate press conferences. It was later decided, however, they should be seated at opposite ends of a long table at the same event with a significant security presence at hand.

Those measures proved inadequate as Chisora, who had been goading Whyte throughout but taken plenty of flak himself, lost his temper in spectacular fashion.

Whyte’s trainer Mark Tibbs threw an object in Chisora’s direction after the desk had been launched. Punches were thrown by some individuals in the melee that followed.

Things had begun calmly enough with Chisora even saying “I don’t have much trash-talking to do” and 28-year-old Whyte claiming he was “not going to start swearing”.

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.

PA Video. Video still taken from PA Video of Dereck Chisora throwing a desk as his pre-fight press conference with Dillian Whyte.