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With great pressure comes magnificent meltdowns and hilarious hissy fits. Here are some of sporting history’s all-time greatest, gasket blowing power tantrums from some of the sporting world’s wackiest stars.

Name: Nelson Piquet

Sport: F1 Racing

Famous quote: “Through F1, I bought my own boat. I learned to fly my own plane and helicopter. And my job with my company is a reflection of everything motor racing taught me.”

Mad moment: Nelson Piquet loses it with Eliseo Salazar in the 1982 German Grand Prix

When Eliseo Salazar sent Nelson Piquet spinning out of the 1982 German Grand Prix, Piquet started letting off more fumes than his F1 car, hurtling towards Salazar and landing two punches on his helmet, which must have hurt Piquet more than Salazar, before attempting a rather feeble little kick that was way off. Truly one of the great tantrums on the tarmac.

Name: Mike Tyson

Sport: Boxing

Famous quote: “Lennox Lewis, I’m coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defence is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!”

Mad moment: Mike Tyson starts his fight with Lennox Lewis at the press conference

If biting part of Evander Holyfield’s ear off wasn’t bad enough, Mike Tyson ran across to attack Lennox Lewis at the 22 January 2002 press conference for their future fight. Tyson bit Lewis’s leg and then ranted at the press with a stream of profanities. When it came to the real fight, Lewis said “Good night!” and knocked Tyson cold.

Name: Earl Strickland

Sport: Pool

Famous quote: “I can’t wait until pool’s a sport!”

Mad moment: Pick one! Here’s an interview at the Taiwan 2004 World Pool Championship

Earl ‘The Pearl’ Strickland is to pool, what Alex Higgins was to snooker. Walking the line between genius and madman and taking it in turns to sway either way. In an interview with a bemused journalist at the Taiwan 2004 World Pool Championship, Strickland rallies against his beloved sport, listing all its bad points, before disclaiming it as nothing but a flimsy game. This passionate and volatile pool player is one of the finest of all time, but putting the cue to one side for some yoga sessions might be an idea.

Name: Eric Cantona

Sport: Football (and Kung Fu…)

Famous quote: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.” (At the kung fu kick aftermath press conference)

Mad moment: Eric Cantona flies into a rage and kung fu kicks a fan

After receiving a red card in a 1995 match against Crystal Palace, Manchester United legend Eric Cantona famously lost it completely and launched a kung fu style flying kick at a Crystal Palace fan followed by a few punches. Originally sentenced to two weeks in prison, the Frenchman instead had to do 120 hours community service. Following the incident, the enigmatic pseudo-philosopher gifted the press with one of his most cryptic utterances.

Name: John McEnroe

Sport: Tennis

Famous quote: “You can not be serious!”

Mad moment: The rage heard around the world: Wimbledon 1981

While playing against Tom Gullikson at Wimbledon in 1981, John McEnroe had a ball called out against him by umpire Edward James that provoked one of the famous lines in the history of sport tantrums. Not only did the call stand but McEnroe had a point given against him for his paddy attack, causing the vein on his forehead to throb so violently he had to go a size up in headbands.

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