Liam Highfield proposes ‘Pot Whack 2’ following confrontation with David Gilbert

Liam Highfield has teased the prospect of a charity boxing match with David Gilbert following a confrontation between the two players at the European Masters.

The pair were involved in a heated exchange following their Last 64 contest at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Monday, which Gilbert won 5-4.

Gilbert clinched victory in style with a break of 105 in the deciding frame, but was met with a frosty handshake from a disgruntled Highfield.

The pair then became embroiled in a lengthy and heated discussion, with Gilbert pointing down the table and gesturing to his opponent.

The main cause of the incident remains unclear, though speculation on social media suggests it may be related to an overly ‘firm’ handshake prior to both the first and final frame.

The theory that Gilbert had deliberately squeezed Highfield’s hand, however, was quickly dismissed by ‘The Angry Farmer’ in his Instagram story.

World number 40 Highfield took to Twitter on Tuesday evening, claiming there are ‘two sides to every story’ and suggesting that the pair settle their differences in a boxing ring for charity.

Such a resolution would not be a first for snooker, with Mark King and Quinten Hann having famously stepped into the ring back in 2004.

The six-minute bout was staged at the York Hall in Bethnal Green and settled a dispute going back to their junior days, which resurfaced at the World Championship that year.

Hann had initially challenged Andy Hicks to a fight after the pair collided during their match at The Crucible, and King stepped in for Hicks.

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Always two sides to every story… let’s just settle it with Pot Whack Number 2 for charity ???

— Liam Highfield (@LHighfield147) February 22, 2022

Now, now gents! ? #EuropeanMasters pic.twitter.com/moAg6r7EvZ

— Live Snooker (@Livesnooker) February 22, 2022