Alex Leapai's big moment on the world boxing stage was upstaged in dramatic style when former American heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs invaded the press conference, called Leapai a "bum" and demanded a match with world champion Wladimir Klitschko.
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Leapai had to be forcibly restrained by his team as Briggs ripped off his shirt and went on a rampage around the Intercontinental Hotel in Dusseldorf, spraying both fighters with abuse and finishing off with a few push-ups. It was one of those great "only in boxing" moments.
The former WBO champion, now 42, fought for the first time in four years a fortnight ago, knocking out Mexican journeyman Maurenzo Smith in the first round in Tampa, Florida.
It was his first time back in the ring since he was taken apart by Wladimir's brother Vitali in 2010. He went 12 rounds but ended up in hospital after taking a frightful beating by the former heavyweight champion.
Vitali has retired to focus on politics in the Ukraine but Briggs evidently wants a crack at Wladimir and said Leapai was only in Germany for "target practice". He paraded around without his shirt, looking in decent shape as well, before taunting Klitschko as a "fake champion".
While Klitschko kept his cool and looked largely bemused, Leapai wasn't quite as content. He was keen to get on with things there and then before his trainer and entourage calmed him down and urged him to focus on Saturday's title fight in Oberhausen.
It wasn't the first time Briggs has called out Klitschko. He pulled a similar stunt in March when he went to the Klitschko gym and made similar demands.
In Dusseldorf, he said Klitschko was boring and should come to New York to fight a man who was the last recognised American titleholder of a heavyweight belt.
Leapai said he wasn't impressed with Briggs' antics but he hadn't lost his focus.
"He [Klitschko] is the champion. To come here and disrespect the champion... I'll fight him. I'd love to fight him. I'm not really happy, I'm really upset about it. But my focus is Klitschko," Leapai said.
