Boxing chiefs: Threat remains for rebels involved in Haye-Chisora
BRITISH boxing chiefs have hit back at promoter Frank Warren and reiterated that anyone involved in the controversial fight between David Haye and Dereck Chisora risks having their licence withdrawn.
Warren alleges that the British Boxing Board of Control has backtracked on threats to ban all fighters, trainers, managers and promoters associated with next month’s bout and called the change “an embarrassing climbdown”.
BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith, however, last night told City A.M. that their stance on the 14 July show at Upton Park in east London had not softened.
“No, that’s not the case,” said Smith. “We’ve said that any licence holder – officials, boxers, trainers – we don’t feel the event is in the best interests of boxing in Britain, and therefore we will not give permission for them to take part.
“Now if they do take part, then obviously we have procedures where we will have hearings and deal with each person individually. We sent out a statement right at the beginning, telling of the process that we’re using, and we’ve confirmed it.
“We can’t stop anybody taking part in it, and if they want to take part in it then they’re entitled to. But they’ve got to understand the consequences of being a licence holder with the BBBofC, and it is our duty to inform them.”
Chisora’s licence was withdrawn by the BBBofC after his brawl with Haye at a Munich press conference in February, but in an unprecedented step the fight has been sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.