UK heavyweights clash in post-fight brawl

Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (right) of Britain and compatriot Dereck Chisora confront each other before a brawl during a news conference following the WBC heavyweight bout between Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine and Chisora. REUTERS/Action Images/Andrew Couldridge

Yesterday's incident, which left Haye's manager Adam Booth with nasty facial cuts, erupted during a news conference after Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko had retained his WBC heavyweight belt with a unanimous points decision over Chisora. Haye attended the fight as a television pundit.

Bavarian police spokesman Gottfried Schlicht said Chisora had been arrested and questioned shortly before he had been due to depart from the airport.

"The police are pressing charges against Chisora for bodily injury but that is not a reason for him to stay in prison," Schlicht said half about half an hour after the boxer had been released from custody.

Police did not know Haye's whereabouts.

British media reports said Chisora had threatened to "shoot and burn" Haye.

Haye, beaten in July by Vitali's younger brother Vladimir in Hamburg, retired in October but was offered a way back with a fight against the senior Klitschko this year.

Haye became agitated by comments made by Klitschko's manager, Bernd Boente, that he would no longer get a fight with the older sibling.

"Contrary to David Haye, Dereck Chisora really went for it and really tried," Boente told a news conference.

"You don't want to fight David Haye, no?" replied Haye, who was at the back of the conference room.

Boente then said: "You had an offer, you didn't accept it, now you are out. You are out. Out, out, out. You cannot talk yourself back into the fight, you have no belts. Chisora showed heart, contrary to you. You showed your toe."

Haye had blamed July's world title defeat on a broken toe.

After the altercation with Boente, Haye got into an argument with Chisora which resulted in the duo trading punches.

The incident was the latest controversy to surround yesterday's fight. Chisora, who had slapped his rival at the weigh-in on Friday, spat water into Vladimir's face during the pre-fight ceremonies.

"I'm totally disappointed, it went a little too far, the sport of boxing shouldn't be like that," Klitschko told the BBC after watching the fight between the two British boxers.

"Bloody faces in the press conference...I'm really surprised."

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith plans an investigation and hinted that Haye would now find it difficult to have his licence renewed if he decided to come out of retirement.

"I am extremely disappointed and disgusted really," he said.

"It does not do the sport any good or Britain any good. Unfortunately it was like Brits abroad and I am very disappointed.

"We would have to go through the normal process and deal with any outstanding matters which have to be considered. First of all we would have to listen to what David Haye has to say but he has not done himself any good and neither has Mr Chisora."