Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost came to blows and had to be restrained by security personnel after a heated exchange.
The two London heavyweights will clash for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
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But they came together three months ago to officially announce the all-British contest and sat down with each other for interviews.
That’s when things almost got ugly, as Dubois offered to start the fight early.
He added: “If he wants to swing, let’s go now.”
Joshua reacted with a death stare, “Oi, shut up. Relax.”
Then DuBois said: “If you want to go now, let’s go.”
Joshua then hit back: “I’ll throw this chair in your face. Don’t disrespect me. Don’t disrespect me. Daniel, don’t disrespect me.”
DuBois refused to back down and said: “You can’t intimidate me. Who do you think you are?”
At that point, AJ stood up and warned: “Daniel, don’t disrespect me because I’ll put this chair in your face.”
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Security quickly intervened and restrained Dubois, while Joshua said: “I don’t take disrespect lightly, Dan.
“Dan, I don’t take disrespect lightly. Don’t sit me across the table saying we can go and do all this now and try to call me out.”
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren put a stop to it to put the matter to rest.
26-year-old Dubois has been declared the new champion, having won the interim title against 32-year-old Filip Hrgović, who has now been elevated to the full version.
The incident comes after undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk, 37, vacated the strap for a rematch with Tyson Fury, 35, on December 21 following his stunning win in May.
Joshua, 34, has the advantage as he is now challenging for the same belt he won seven years ago and attempting to become a three-time champion.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist spoke on the altercation with Dubois when asked about the heated exchange.
Dan, I don’t take disrespect lightly, you know. Don’t sit me across the table saying we can go and do all this now and try to call me out.
Anthony Joshua to Daniel Dubois
He said: “Yeah, we had a bit of aggression. That’s a good thing.”
“There are two sides to it, the competitive side, the Queensberry rules of boxing. But there is also an instinct as a fighter.
“And that’s the way it is. I was a good fighter before I boxed, when someone calls you out it’s your instinct.
“He said ‘let’s go now’. And I said: ‘let’s go then’. No protection, I just walked away, I thought I’d be the bigger man.”
Dubois attributed the stressful situation to severe jet lag after a 12-hour flight from Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
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He replied: “I was suffering from jet-lag, that’s all.”
“My head wasn’t in the right place, but it was all good and it was all part of the fun and getting into the rhythm.”
