It wouldn’t be a David Haye press conference without some sort of unexpected interruption.

When Haye made the underwhelming announcement that he would next fight unheralded Kosovan Arnold Gjergjaj at the O2 Arena on May 21 at today’s press conference, it seemed that was that and everyone would move on.

That was until former world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs charged in unannounced to bring some much-needed life to proceedings with an opening gambit that consisted of: “Yeah. It’s the champ. Where’s David Haye at?”

American Briggs held the WBO heavyweight belt at one stage during his career but aged 44 his best days are almost certainly behind him.

Well, unless you ask the man himself after he suggested to Haye he was in better shape than when he was 24.

He also called out the non-English speaking Gjergjaj, asking “Who are you?”, before turning his attention to Haye. This was all while he filmed the scene on his mobile phone.

“Tell everyone why you’re fighting him, who we’ve never heard of, instead of me? We need an answer. Let’s go champ,” he said.

When Briggs was asked by Haye if he would pass a brain scan, in reference to being hospitalised following a brutal points defeat to Vitali Klitschko six years ago, the American replied: “Any time, any day. I’m in the best shape of my life.

“Haye’s a chump. You’ve been hiding from me. I know I can beat you. Tell your country why you’re fighting him and not me. He’s scared of me. Don’t believe the hype London, he’s a fraud.”

Haye’s return to boxing after a three-and-a-half year retirement has so far failed to fully capture the imagination with a first-round stoppage of Mark de Mori on his comeback before today’s announcement.

Briggs might at least offer a box office presence.