Boxing: Dereck Chisora arrested by German police over brawl

David Haye and Dereck Chisora confront each other (Reuters)

Dereck Chisora has been arrested by Munich Police and is being questioned following last night's post-fight press conference brawl with David Haye.

Boxing: Klitschko cruises after Chisora spits dummy

A Munich Criminal Police spokesman told Press Association Sport that Chisora had been arrested after he and his trainer, Don Charles, were taken from the city's airport to Police headquarters after an investigation was opened into the brawl.

The spokesman confirmed also that Police were still searching for Haye, who was not present at the hotel when they sought to question him this morning.

"Mr Chisora was arrested after Police went to the airport where he was at approximately 10.30 (German time) this morning," the spokesman said.

Both boxers were involved in an altercation during last night's press conference after Chisora lost to Vitali Klitschko on a points decision following their WBC heavyweight title fight.

"Mr Chisora is now being questioned by Police at their headquarters in Munich in relation to the investigation," the spokesman said.

"At present we do not know where Mr Haye is," he added.

"We are currently looking for him. He was not at the hotel this morning and we have not seen him at the airport."

After losing a brave 12-round decision to 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's manager Adam Booth somehow 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.

After putting up a decent showing against Klitschko, Chisora 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. He messed up Box Office (Sky Sports) 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?"

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.

Chisora's promoter Frank Warren, who was at the press conference, labelled the brawl "ridiculous and stupid".

"It was unacceptable. It was stupid," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It doesn't do anyone any favours. It was ridiculous.

"It was a very charged atmosphere. It just got out of hand."

Warren also called for an inquiry into the brawl, adding: "It was something that we can do without in boxing.

"I'd like to see the appropriate inquiry take place.

"People with cool and calm heads need to look at the footage. It was disgusting.

"David should have let Dereck have his moment after what was a gallant performance."

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith indicated the governing body would launch an investigation.

"It was extremely disappointing and disgusting really," he said.

"There will be hearing. I've seen the footage this morning and it doesn't do the sport any good, or Britain. It was like 'Brits abroad'.

"The first thing we need to do is find out the facts.

"I will be contacting the German boxing authorities and now the police to get the facts tomorrow.

"I can't say much more at this stage."

Smith confirmed Haye did not have a BBBC issued license, meaning the governing body is unlikely to be able to sanction him.

Smith said Haye's hopes of renewing his license, however, had "not been helped" by last night's incident.

After watching the unexpected drama unfold, Wladimir Klitschko told the BBC: "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."

A fight between the two domestic rivals had not been too far-fetched a possibility after Chisora's brave showing against Vitali.

Few expected him to last beyond the opening round, especially after he angered the 40-year-old by slapping him and the pre-fight weigh-in and then spitting water into brother Wladimir's face in the ring.

But he was composed throughout the bout and, although he lost comfortably on points (118 - 110 twice and 119-111), he did his chances of becoming a world name no harm at all.

"I came here to fight and that's what I did and the only thing that beat me today was experience," he said of his performance.

Haye, who was commentating for BoxNation, spent the evening calling out Vitali, who he hopes to fight this summer, despite technically being in retirement.

Boxing: Klitschko cruises after Chisora spits dummy

PA