Klitschko brands Haye v Chisora a ‘freak show’ PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 09 May 2012 21:27
HEAVYWEIGHT champion Wladimir Klitschko has derided the July 14 fight between David Haye and Dereck Chisora as a “freak show”. Klitschko, who defeated Haye in a title unification bout in Germany last summer, told the BBC that staging the fight in Britain and bypassing the British Boxing Board of Control was bad for the sport.
"It's a freak show under freak rules. It's a spit in the face of the British Boxing Board of Control," the Ukrainian world champion told BBC Radio 5 live.
Klitschko was also fiercely critical of the decision to permit Chisora to box after his behaviour in February.
The infamous brawl with Haye at the post-fight press conference following Chisora’s defeat to Klitschko’s elder brother, WBC champion Vitali, was not the only controversial moment in Munich.
At the weigh-in Chisora had slapped Vitali, while shortly before the fight began the Londoner spat water in Wladimir’s face.
"To get a licence for this man (Chisora) is disgraceful for the sport," added 36-year-old Wladimir, the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion.
"How can you have such an event featuring a man who has shown his behaviour to the world, especially considering what he did at the press conference, where he threatened Haye? It's something that isn't good for the fans and sport. How's it possible that this is happening on British soil?"
Despite the bout taking place at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United, it will be sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.
Promoter Frank Warren’s plans have been criticised by fellow promoters Barry Hearn and Frank Maloney, but he insists that the contest is justified.
"What I'm doing is legal and lawful," Warren said. "I have a managerial contract with Chisora, I have legal obligations to him and I won't have these compromised by the British Boxing Board of Control.”
 

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