David Haye v Dereck Chisora sanctioned by WBO and WBA

David Haye’s controversial fight with Dereck Chisora on 14 July will now be for the WBO International and WBA Intercontinental heavyweight titles.

The fight – which will take place at Upton Park, home of West Ham United – was organised by promoter Frank Warren on the back of the duo’s infamous brawl in Munich last February at the post-fight press conference that followed Chisora’s defeat by WBC kingpin Vitali Klitschko.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) have refused to sanction the fight, which will be officiated by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation (LBF), and the WBC has threatened to expel or any individual or party that participates in the bout.

However, Paco Valcarcel, president of the WBO, issued a statement saying: “We have to go ahead and approve the fight. The LBF is a member of the WBO and the problem is between the LBF and the British Boxing Board of Control, not the LBF and the WBO.”

Warren, who is Chisora’s manager, has written to the governing bodies seeking clarity over any possible consequences of his role in the forthcoming fight.

The BBBC have claimed that any licence-holder involved in the bout – including the promoter, managers, seconds and other fighters – will be deemed to have broken the terms of their membership and be immediately stripped of their license.

In a letter from president Jose Sulaiman, the WBC confirmed that those involved in the fight would be dismissed from the WBC if the fight went ahead.

“We will expel Luxembourg from our organisation if the commission went ahead as well as any person or institution that has relations with them” wrote Sulaiman.

“We will not condone such disgraceful behaviour [from Chisora] after seeing that this boxer has no idea of what good behaviour is, by accepting to participate in the intent to threat and embarrass the organisation of boxing with such an act.

“I am sure the European Boxing Union is on the verge of a strong position against Luxembourg; I am also furious with the promoter [BoxNation and Sauerland are promoting Haye Vs Chisora] who is trying to blast the ethics, honesty and seriousness of the sport of boxing.”

The Sport Review’s boxing section is sponsored by Kinetica, fuelling Ben Youngs, Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris, and London Irish.

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