Dereck Chisora has boxing licence withdrawn by British authority

  • Published
British boxers Dereck Chisora and David Haye
Image caption,

Dereck Chisora has been suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council

Dereck Chisora's boxing licence has been withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for his actions before and after his defeat by Vitali Klitschko in Munich.

Chisora slapped Vitali at the weigh-in, spat water at his opponent's brother Wladimir before the bout and brawled with David Haye after the fight.

"Dereck Chisora is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence," said BBBofC secretary Robert Smith.

Media caption,

Warren 'unhappy' over Chisora ban

"It has been withdrawn immediately."

Zimbabwe-born Chisora, 28, who lost the WBC heavyweight title bout on points, has 14 days to appeal against the decision.

Asked if it was effectively a life ban, Smith said: "There is no set period for when he can reapply for his license.

"Any person is allowed to reapply at some point and the Board will consider any application, but for today, Mr Chisora does not hold a Board licence. What happens in the future, I do not know."

Chisora's promoter Frank Warren said of the hearing in Cardiff: "I was happy with certain aspects of the hearing and unhappy with other aspects. The fact of the matter is slapping someone and spitting water was not an acceptable situation.

"We do not accept for one minute that what happened after the fight was Dereck's responsibility. He did not throw the first punch. We've proved that.

"I think some of the things that Dereck got involved in in the past have caused the board to make this decision.

"We will now consider, over the next few days, what the situation is and then he'll decide whether he wants to appeal the decision or what he wants to do."

If the appeal fails, Chisora could reapply immediately for his licence but this would be likely to be rejected. He would then be forced to look abroad for a licence for any future fights.

Reacting to the ban, Chisora said: "Three letters - MGM, here I come."

That appeared to be a reference to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a regular venue for high-profile fights in the United States.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission would have to decide whether to grant Chisora a licence to fight should a bout be arranged there.

He had already been suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council, which suggested Chisora should have anger management treatment, but he will have a hearing in front of the body on 21 March.

In a statement, Smith also said: "The British Boxing Board of Control deplore what occurred at the weigh-in, in the ring before the contest commenced and at the post-contest press conference.

"Such behaviour brought the sport of boxing, the BBBofC and all licence holders into disrepute.

Media caption,

Dereck Chisora in bloody brawl with David Haye

"Dereck Chisora, on his own admission, did not behave in a manner consistent with that of a professional boxer and let down not only himself and his family but also all those licence holders who behave in a professional manner."

Former world heavyweight champion Haye, who announced his retirement in October, does not currently hold a licence and so cannot be punished by the BBBofC.

However, in November it was reported that Haye was in talks to come of retirement to fight Vitali Klitschko, and the BBBofC said his part in the brawl would be taken into account should he apply to regain his licence.

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