David Haye‘s cheap shot at Tony Bellew that sparked press conference brawl was one of many to scar boxing down the ages

DAVID HAYE’S cheap shot on Tony Bellew at their press conference on Wednesday ahead of their March 4 fight dragged boxing into the gutter.

Bellew – by his own admission – is a rough and tumble Scouser not blessed with the best physique or skill, who much prefers to drag his opponents into street fights of attrition where his raw strength and heart can shine through.

But, while doing his best to hype the Haye fight and boost additional interest in the grudge match among non-boxing fans, he was caught with a cowardly left-hook that left the Everton hero clearly bruised and seething with rage.

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But Haye is not the first fighter to lose control in the build-up to a fight. Here SunSport looks at some of the most controversial head-to-heads in boxing.

Mark Kaylor vs Errol Christie

The brutal press-conference brawl at the Stakis Regency Casino in London was expected after all the needle beforehand, due to the toxic racial tension in England during 1985.

The fighters tore into each other in the casino car park and carried the vicious row into the restaurant for a second helping.

Christie accusing Kaylor of a racial slur which Kaylor has always denied and the simmering tension was prevented from spilling over before the fight took place, as there were threats to postpone the big-money title eliminator.

There was extra security beefed up inside the stadium and a total blanket ban on alcohol.

Kaylor was sunk to the canvas twice but he triumphed in the eighth with a vicious right-hand stoppage. The victor then raced into the corner to check on the beaten man to prove the animosity was over.

Lennox Lewis vs Mike Tyson

The Baddest Man on the Planet was at his most infamous in the run-up to this fight that was originally scheduled for April 6, 2002 in Las Vegas. However, Las Vegas rejected the fight and several other states refused Tyson a licence before Memphis agreed.

In 2000 – long before their brawl and Lewis’ first child Landon was born – Tyson gave a wild interview after winning another comeback fight following his time in prison.

He said: “Lennox is a conquerer? No, I’m Alexander. He’s no Alexander. I’m the best ever.

"There’s never been anybody as ruthless. I’m Sonny Liston. I’m Jack Dempsey.

"There’s no one like me, I’m from their cloth. There’s no one that can match me.

"My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart, I want to eat his children.”

Tyson was such a menace to himself and society that his camp forced him to train on the remote Pacific island of Maui

At the New York media meeting it kicked off between the fighters and their teams with Lewis getting bitten on the leg by the crazed convicted rapist who then coughed up around £300,000 (and maybe some trouser material) as an apology.

The brawl was even named ‘Event of the Year for 2002’ in the prestigious boxing bible Ring magazine.

Lewis won the battle inside the ropes and the two warriors kissed and made up with Lewis' mum even getting a kiss from Tyson.

Dereck Chisora v David Haye

On February 19 2012 – shortly after WBC champion Vitali Klitschko had comfortably beaten Dereck Chisora – David Haye entered their press conference.

Haye insulted both men but Chisora – naturally more adept at trash-talk than the wooden Ukrainian – took up the challenge and slung jibes back, calling the Brit an embarrassment for blaming his loss to Wladimir Klitschko on a broken toe.

In the end Chisora snapped and marched down to confront the loudmouth who was holding a glass bottle in his hand.

A violent fight broke out, punctuated by the sound of smashing glass. By the time the clash was broken up, Chisora was shouting that he had been glassed and was vowing to shoot his rival.

Eventually they did fight and Haye destroyed him at West Ham’s old Upton Park stadium.

Tyson Fury vs Wladimir Klitschko

When we talk about the Gypsy King pulling crazy stunts now we think more worrying signs he is losing his grip on reality – especially after his heavyweight belts were taken out of his grasp.

However, there was a time before his brilliant night in Dusseldorf – when he dethroned the impervious Wladimir Klitschko – when madcap antics from the giant seemed innocent and he was praised for bringing back some theatre back to the Klitschko-dominated division.

This pre-fight press conference in England was typically kooky from Fury as he rolled in to the meet straight-faced champ dressed as Batman and then proceeded to have a mocked-up fight with a villainous Joker.

It must have worked as Fury did the undoable by winning in Wladimir’s backyard but that brilliant night signalled the start of his continually startling downward spiral.

Herbie Hide vs Michael Bentt

Dulwich-born New Yorker Michael Bentt landed in London as the surprise the champion and he got another shock in the build-up to his title defence against Hide at Millwall’s infamous Den.

Both men looked resplendent in their suits – the champ even shelling out for a dickie bow tie – but on a wet and windy London roof-garden, they tore strips off each other.

A spooked Hide slammed what seemed like an unprovoked left hook at Bentt - before they rolled around on the deck in an embarrassing melee - and then Hide had the cheek to label the floored man he would go on to beat for his world title a “nut”.