German police release boxer

Munich police released British boxer Dereck Chisora from custody on Sunday after he was detained at the city's airport for questioning in connection with brawl at a post-match press conference.

Chisora had lost a World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight fight against Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko in the southern German city on Sunday.

But events after the fight, at the post-match press conference, were at the center of police inquiries. After a verbal altercation with another British boxer, ex-champion David Haye, Chisora ended up in a brawl with his compatriot in which both fighters' managers also became involved.

"He (Chisora) still faces a charge of simple assault but he is allowed to return to England for now," police spokesman Gottfried Schlicht told the Associated Press.

Words turn to punches

Schlicht said more serious charges against Chisora were reduced when police were unable to apprehend Haye, despite searching his hotel. Haye, 31, was amongst reporters after working ring-side as a pundit and branded Chisora "a loser." The British fighter promptly left the head table at the press conference to confront Haye, whom he dubbed "an embarrassment."

The vitriol continued to escalate, leading to punches being thrown. Chisora was repeatedly heard shouting that he would "shoot" Haye as the pair was separated by stunned on-lookers.

The incident has already caused a stir in the world boxing community. The British Boxing Board of Control has indicated it would launch an investigation into events leading up to the ugly melee in Munich.

"It was an embarrassment for British boxing," Frank Warren, Chisora's promoter, told Sky Sports News. "I would say they were total idiots."

The German Professional Boxers Association was considering banning Chisora from competing in Germany over his conduct, according to Thomas Pütz, the association's president.

"This guy is a public menace," Pütz said. "He has no place in a German ring."

dfm, slk/acb (AFP, dpa, Reuters)