Boxer ends press conference by launching a table at opponent

A press conference ahead of the fight between Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte descended into chaos. Photo / Twitter

Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz Junior have eschewed the normal boxing bad boy and trash-talk in the build-up to their WBO showdown - but at least one other name boxer has been living up to the sport's reputation of pre-fight histrionics.

The press conference ahead of the fight between Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte descended into chaos after Chisora threw a table at his British heavyweight title opponent.

Not for the first time in front of the cameras this week, the 32-year-old lost his temper with his rival ahead of their title and WBC Eliminator fight on Saturday, slamming his fist on the table before getting out of his seat and lifting it above his head.

Chisora then launched it across the row of promoters and coaches in Whyte's direction, but the 28-year-old did not move as his coach Mark Tibbs and Sky Sports correspondent Adam Smith bore the brunt of the furniture.

Security were forced to step in and restrain Chisora, as well as members of his party who attempted to get on to the stage and confront Whyte and his team. Chisora berated the guards too, warning them not to touch him.

He then traded insults with Whyte's trainer Mark Tibbs, who threw his microphone at the former European heavyweight champion during the scuffle, before his upcoming opponent stepped in to stand up for his coach.

Whyte had goaded Chisora earlier on, stating: "Me and Dereck both know [what would happen] if we were left in a room with no security.

"When I stepped to him and threw punches, he was scared.

"You have two security guards and they both got manhandled. Dereck, listen. If I ever I see you, for the rest of my life, I will attack you. Even after the fight.

"You lost the battle already. In the Sky studios, you cowered away. The man bit me on my chest, who does that?

"I squared up, moving my head, expecting him to throw punches, and he didn't do anything.

"I've got loads of ways of winning. I can box or bash him up. I'm going to knock him out as his breath smells of horses***."

Eventually Chisora snapped, removing his sunglasses and banging the desk.

"Don't you try to threaten my life and then think I sit down like this and be calm," he said.

"Are you sure you want it to kick off right now because I assure you it can. You take a chill pill.

"Look me in the eyes. If you think I am a p****, I'm a punk, you tell me right now. I am the baddest motherf*****." The final words tailed off as Chisora then lifted the table above his head.

Calm was eventually restored, with both Whyte and Chisora ushered out of other sides of the room by their respective parties.

Chisora and Whyte also clashed on 'The Gloves Are Off', the Sky Sports programme which sat the two boxers down ahead of the fight.