Briton Ben Whittaker grabbed Ezra Arenyeka by the throat after being goaded at the weigh-in for Saturday’s light-heavyweight contest in London.

The Olympic silver medallist retaliated after Arenyeka pointed his finger towards Whittaker’s face in the head-to-head.

As security intervened, Arenyeka then threw women’s underwear at Whittaker.

“At the end of the day, he’s coming with his energy,” a dumbfounded Whittaker, 27, said.

“It’s all nervous energy. Tomorrow’s the day. Tomorrow’s judgement day.”

Nigeria-born Arenyeka weighed in exactly at the 12st 7lb limit with Briton Whittaker five ounces over, before matching his opponent’s weight in a second weigh-in moments later.

The bout takes place on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title defence against Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Billiam-Smith, 33, cut a subdued figure on the scales compared with Riakporhe, 34, as both men tipped the scales at 14st 4lb.

But neither man wanted to break an awkwardly long face-off, their eyes fixated on each other despite the attempts of four members of security to end proceedings.

“I haven’t looked away once in camp. It’s time to stay strong now,” champion Billam-Smith said.