Florian Marku grabbed Chris Jenkins by the throat after his rival blew a kiss at him during their final face-off.
The Albanian star will take on Jenkins in a well-matched welterweight clash in Newcastle on Saturday night. Marku is notorious for his hot temper at pre-fight events and was angered once again when the pair exchanged words on Friday.
Marku could be seen uttering stern words of warning to his rival as the pair came face-to-face after weighing in for their showdown. Jenkins sarcastically blew Marku a kiss while laughing in response to his menacing words.
Just seconds after the sarcastic gesture, Marku lashed out, grabbing his opponent by the throat and pushing him as the heated atmosphere caused the pair to come to blows. Security quickly stepped in and bundled the pair apart with Jenkins still visibly upset and attempting to run back and confront his opponent during the altercation.
Marku previously admitted that he respected Jenkins but was planning to deliver a huge victory to promote "respect" on his name in the domestic scene at welterweight. "I respect Chris Jenkins, he has a good record, good name for the UK public, some good fights, many people try to avoid him when he had the British title," he said.
"He had a good fight with Julius Indongo, but I'm not Indongo, I will show that Saturday night. I think Jenkins is the fight that will show the UK public to put respect on my name.
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"My last performance, I was disappointed [in] myself, it was really bad performance for me. I haven't shown nothing of what I'm capable of, the people that spar me know what I'm capable of. The better the fighter, the more it will bring the best out of me. On Saturday you will see the best Florian."
Marku outpointed Jorick Luisetto last time out at the OVO Wembley Arena but was left dejected by his performance after failing to secure his trademark stoppage. However the winner of his tough challenge against Jenkins could see themselves propelled into a clash with Amir Khan who was recently defeated by Kell Brook.
BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom believes a clash between Marku and Khan would be significant for the Albanian's career if it can be made. "It's hard to know, Amir was injured, he did have a shoulder injury, we've seen the scans, he had ten weeks to prepare," Shalom said. "I actually like Florian Marku, I'd love that fight. We'll see, I know he's back in the gym and wants to come back to the UK."
