Dereck Chisora has been warned he 'committed suicide' when he slapped world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on the face at the weigh-in for Saturday night's title fight.
The 28-year-old London underdog, who is nicknamed Del Boy, was in near-hysterical mood as he lashed out at Klitschko in a downtown department store on Friday.
Scroll down for a video of the slap
Ready for war: Dereck Chisora slaps Vitali Klitschko at the weigh-in
The unprovoked assault will cost him a £32,000 fine and brought condemnation for all sides, including his own handlers.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman said: 'Boxing, even though it is violent, is a sport of gentlemen and fair play. The WBC has decided to fine Chisora for not complying with the fair play that is required in all sports.'
Adam Booth, trainer/manager of David Haye, who was beaten last year by Klitschko's brother Wladimir and is here to commentate for BBC radio, went further: 'Chisora has committed suicide. He wasn't going to win anyway but this has made it worse. It was a cheap shot and the last thing you want to do is pick a fight with Vitali. The only hope is to try to box him. Now he'll come into the ring with real anger.'
Early shot: Chisora slaps Klitschko
Take that! Dereck Chisora slaps the face of Ukrainian heavyweight WBC boxing champion Vitali Klitschko during the stare down
Haye, of course, had infuriated the Klitschkos with his decapitation T-shirt and continuous insults.
At the swearing match which followed the slapping yesterday, it became clear that the big brothers have had enough now of English opponents.
Chisora, who calls himself Del Boy after the Only Fools and Horses character, was wearing a ring and might even have cut Klitschko with it instead of just imprinting a red weal on the cheek just below his left eye.
Face to face: Klitschko and Chisora get physical at the weigh-in
Chisora's own trainer, Don Charles, said: 'This was utterly unacceptable. Frankly, I am speechless.'
Francis Warren, acting here for his father Frank, who is Chisora's promoter, said: 'I am shocked. Nobody expected him to do that. We can't condone it. It was unprofessional. The only place for fighting is in the ring. I don't know whether he felt intimidated.'
Early shots: Chisora tries to gain the early physiological advantage over Klitschko
A coldly angry Klitschko said: 'Why has he done this? Look how nervous he is. He hit me and ran away so his own team could stop me getting at him.'
Chisora immediately fled the scene, screaming: 'Where's my f****** driver! Where's my f****** car! Get me out of here.'
Squaring up: Klitschko reacts to being slapped by Chisora
Fighting fit: Vitali Klitschko weighed-in at 17st 6lbs
Del boy: Chisora tipped the scales at 17 stone 3lbs
Mean machine: Chisora turned up at the weigh-in with a Union flag over his face
The trouble started after Chisora weighed in three pounds the lighter at 17st 3lbs. As they posed for the traditional stare-down photograph, he thrust his face at Klitschko and their foreheads banged together.
The Zimbabwean-born Londoner has a record of wild behaviour but this time he's not only gone too far but invited heavy retribution from his opponent. There is also the likelihood of sanctions from the WBC, for whose world title belt he is challenging, and perhaps from the British Boxing Board of Control.
Mike Tyson was fined heavily by the WBC after biting Britain's Lennox Lewis on the leg during a New York press conference prior to their 2002 world title fight.
P.S.
Chisora does have previous when it comes to antics at the weigh-in. When he fought Carl Baker in February 2010 he kissed his opponent during the stare down. Chisora went onto knock Baker out in the second round.
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