A witness said the quarrel, during a taping of ESPN's "Up Close" in California, was sparked by Rahman's comments that Lewis acted in a "gay manner."

"Basically what happened was that [Rahman] made a reference to Lennox acting in a gay manner," Rahman's co-manager Stan Hoffman said.

"Obviously, he didn't mean Lennox was gay."

When they met at the ESPN Zone, Hoffman said, "Lennox was seething."

Ed Keenan of Media Works, publicist for the promotion of Rahman's title defence against Lewis on in November, said the two men exchanged words.

"They were face to face, chest to chest," Keenan said. "Lewis pushed Rahman's arm back. Then they were grabbing on the floor. They broke a table."