A slap heard around the world – Del Boy hits Vitali at weigh-in

London’s Dereck Chisora showed no respect to Vitali Klitschko at yesterday’s weigh-in when he slapped him hard across the face.

The unpredictable ‘Del Boy’, sporting a Great Britain bandana across his face, lashed out as the two boxers came together at the traditional stare-down, much to the anger of the WBC champion.

The pair then had to be kept apart by their respective camps to avoid further trouble after Klitschko pushed the challenger in retaliation.

The shock on Vitali’s face was clear for all to see, as was the red mark left by Chisora.

Promoter Francis Warren, representing his father Frank’s company, said: “We’re all scratching our heads about it, to be honest.

“You always expect something from Dereck – he’s a character. But it’s usually something that winds people up or is a bit jovial.

“So for him to get physical and aggressive, unprovoked, is surprising. But at the end of the day I’m sure there’s method to his madness and we’ll find out if the madness has paid off tomorrow night.”

Even Chsiora’s trainer Don Charles displayed his disapproval of his charge’s behaviour, describing the ex-British champion’s behaviour as ‘unacceptable’.

The justification was a simple one, the British heavyweight showing no remorse, said “Everyone else who has fought the Klitschko brothers has been scared. This is one cat that isn’t scared of him – or anyone – and I’ll throw him off of that throne he’s been sitting on for the last few years.”

Controversy is nothing new to ‘Del Boy’; he was once banned for four months for biting Paul Butlin in 2009 and almost caused a brawl when kissing Carl Baker at the weigh-in before their 2010 contest.

Klitscko, clearly irked by his challenger’s behaviour said that Chisora would pay the price in the ring.

“I’ll be hitting him back tomorrow, in the ring,” he warned. “He’s not all there. Dereck is full of nervousness and I feel he is afraid; otherwise he would not have jumped back like he did.

“He hit me not like a boxer but like a woman, with an open hand. If he wants to fight properly, he must do that with his fists.”

Chisora had earlier continued to assert that he will not be overawed when he comes up against Klitschko on Saturday night in Munich and weighed in at a trim 17st 3lbs compared to Klitschko’s 17st 6lbs.

“I’m the underdog in this fight which is exactly how I like it because when I knock him out in the eighth round it will shock the world,” said Chisora.

With the first shot landed before the fight, it remains to be seen whether ‘Del Boy’ can do what no boxer has done before and stop the giant Ukrainian or whether he will go the way of the 43 other people to have squared off with Dr. Ironfist. I, for one, very much doubt this fight will be going the distance.