Night of Shame for British Boxing
David Haye and Dereck Chisora face possible recriminations after a bloody brawl following Chisora’s loss to Vitali Klitschko.
Police have so far refused to comment having been required at the Olympiahalle in Munich after Haye and Chisora scrapped in an incident which will make headlines around the world.
After losing a brave 12-round on points (118 – 110, 118 – 110 and 119-111), to WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich, Chisora mocked the onlooking Haye for his poor performance against Klitschko’s brother Wladimir last year and tried to goad his rival into a future bout.
Chisora then confronted Haye during the press conference and the two men grappled around the room with onlookers and entourages getting involved. Chisora was seemingly heard making threats and claiming to have been “glassed”.
Haye is then captured on film trading punches with Chisora’s trainer Don Charles before swinging a large camera tripod over his head at Charles. Moments later Chisora re-appears brandishing a glass bottle but is wrestled under control.
Haye’s manager Adam Booth suffered a nasty cut on his forehead and also claimed to have been “glassed”.
Police arrived as the incident calmed down and were on hand as Chisora eventually left the arena some time later.
They later confirmed that both men would be interviewed on Sunday as part of an official investigation before they left Munich but added that there had as yet been no arrests.
After putting up a decent showing against Klitschko, Chisora and his promoter Frank Warren appeared to be trying to goad Haye into a high-profile fight between the two Londoners.
“David, you and me can get it on in London. Be quiet,” Chisora said. “David Haye is an embarrassment. Sky Sports don’t do Box Office because of David Haye. He messed up Box Office for all the young fighters and I’m going to give him two slaps for that.
“If David Haye is a fighter he should fight me. Let’s fight, me and you.”
“David, how’s your toe?” Chisora repeatedly shouted at Haye, referring to the injury he blamed his loss to Wladimir Klitschko on.
Haye, ignoring a low-key win for Chisora last year, retorted: “You’ve had three losses in a row (sic).” Chisora then said: “Do you want to tell me to my face? Tell me to my face!”
Chisora then left the stage, approached Haye and went nose-to-nose before the brawl began which lasted at least five minutes.
While the Klitschkos stood and watched, Haye eventually left the scene while Booth, with blood running down his face, shouted at Chisora: “Derek, man-to-man, I want to know who glassed me. Someone hit me with a bottle.”
Chisora answered: “Did you see me with a glass?”
Chisora was, in fact, seen with a bottle in his hand, but he was wrestled away by a security guard.
After being confronted by Booth, Chisora told Haye’s trainer-manager: “If you and David want it (the fight), then we can do it. Either in the ring or outside the ring. You let me know. I want it.
“You tell him; his entourage has got nothing on my entourage. I’m going to find him. Your boy had a bottle.”
Even by boxing’s often chaotic standards the unsavoury incident was shocking, drawing gasps and cries of alarm as those involved fell about the room, knocking equipment over.
During the melee, Booth and Haye criticised the Ukrainians’ manager Bernd Boente for not agreeing a fight between the Englishman and WBC champion Vitali.
After watching the unexpected drama unfold, Wladimir Klitschko said: “I’m totally disappointed, it went a little too far, the sport of boxing shouldn’t be like that.
“Bloody faces in the press conference… fighting in the ring, not out. I’m really surprised.”