Chisora, 32, and Whyte, 28, have a long-standing feud although they have never fought in a competitive bout. They are slated to top the undercard when Anthony Joshua faces Eric Molina in Manchester on Saturday. However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) could cancel the fight after the Whyte-Chisora press conference ended in mayhem.

REUTERS Dereck Chisora threw a table at Dillian Whyte during a press conference

GETTY Dereck Chisora previously had his boxing licence revoked for brawling

Chisora and Whyte clashed verbally before the former lost his cool and threw a table across the room at his prospective opponent. Security personnel intervened to separate the boxers and stop anything escalating further but the boxing authorities are said to have been highly unimpressed by the display. BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith said: “I have been made aware of it, I’ve watched it a couple of times and I’m disgusted by it.”

REUTERS Dillian Whyte will defend his British heavyweight boxing title

The board will now meet at 3pm today to discuss possible sanctions. They are understood not to have ruled out cancelling the fight or banning the fighters involved, although it’s thought to be unlikely. The BBBofC are expected instead to consider fining Chisora but they will also speak to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn about the conditions of the fight.