Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic had to be pulled apart by security after their heavyweight weigh-in descended into chaos when Hrgovic was pushed off the stage before slapping his British rival.

The two heavyweights exchanged heated words during their face-off before lining up for one final set of photographs.

But when Hrgovic stepped in front of Itauma, the Brit shoved him forward, sending his opponent tumbling off the stage.

A furious Hrgovic immediately climbed back up and slapped Itauma, who then went berserk as both men attempted to fight before security rushed in to drag them apart.

The extraordinary scenes came just 24 hours before Itauma’s first shot at becoming heavyweight world champion.

It was a notable change from the 21-year-old, who has remained largely calm throughout the build-up despite Hrgovic’s repeated attempts to get under his skin.

Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic had to be pulled apart by security after their heavyweight weigh-in descended into chaos

Itauma started the chaos when he pushed Hrgovic off stage before his rival slapped him

Itauma had previously dismissed his rival’s insults as ‘schoolground banter’, while Hrgovic has tried to provoke him at almost every opportunity during fight week.

The British heavyweight had even told his manager not to nibble at Hrgovic during Thursday’s press conference, seemingly determined not to be drawn into any of the mind games.

But after keeping his composure throughout the week, it was Itauma himself who finally snapped at the weigh-in.

And while it offered a side to the unbeaten heavyweight that few have seen before, those watching appeared to love it.

Hrgovic was still furious when he spoke after the confrontation and vowed to ‘smash’ Itauma when the pair meet in the ring tomorrow night.

Itauma, meanwhile, admitted that he had been unable to resist the temptation to react.

‘I had a scratch to itch and I had to do that today,’ he said.