Chisora apologises for Munich brawl as German police still hunt for Haye

Published on Tuesday 21 February 2012 03:18

David Haye remains wanted by police and Dereck Chisora has been called before the British Boxing Board of Control after their shocking press conference brawl in Munich on Saturday.

Haye’s whereabouts were last night still unknown as German detectives seek to question him about his role in the incident. He broke his silence in a statement yesterday afternoon but stopped short of apologising for his actions, which included punching Chisora with a fist holding a glass bottle and swinging a camera tripod at Chisora’s trainer’s head.

Chisora, who slapped Vitali Klitschko ahead of Saturday’s WBC heavyweight title defeat and scrapped with Haye after the bout, was arrested by German police on Sunday before being questioned and released.

Chisora “wholeheartedly apologised” for his “inexcusable” actions, which also saw him spit water in the face of Klitschko’s brother Wladimir and threaten to “shoot” Haye during the post-fight melee.

In a statement, British Boxing Board of Control secretary Robert Smith confirmed Chisora will appear before stewards on 14 March “with regard to his behaviour prior, during and after” his loss to Klitschko. Haye is not currently answerable to the Board, having relinquished his licence in October when he officially retired. However, he would need to re-apply if he wanted to fight again.

Munich Police yesterday reiterated their desire to speak to the former WBA heavyweight champion and said they are likely to enlist the help of Scotland Yard to track him down. It is understood Haye is somewhere in Britain having fled Munich hours after the brawl.

His trainer and manager Adam Booth, who suffered a cut to his forehead in the brawl, claims he does not know where Haye is and said Haye would be willing to talk to Munich police.

Both Haye and Chisora broke their silence on the matter yesterday, with Chisora apologising for his part and Haye blaming his fellow Londoner.

Zimbabwe-born Chisora said in a statement released to the Press Association: “I feel I must wholeheartedly apologise for my part in the regrettable scenes both before and after what was to be the biggest night of my career.

“Whilst my behaviour was inexcusable, there were many things that went on behind the scenes that ultimately caused my frustrations to boil over. However, this is, of course, no excuse.”

Chisora claimed at the time to have been “glassed” and reiterated his claim that he was hit by a bottle.

He said: “I cannot go into the specific details at the moment as, quite rightly, the British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating this matter and also the altercation that took place between David Haye and myself where I was struck by a bottle.

“Despite all of this, the bottom line is, I have let my family, my team and worst of all the sport I love down.”

Haye also spoke out yesterday afternoon and says he will assist the boxing authorities in their enquiries.

He said: “I realise I am no angel – and don’t mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise boxing’s profile – but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas.

“If requested, I shall happily assist the boxing authorities with any investigation they wish to launch and, ultimately, hope that all lessons learned from this incident will be implemented.”

Haye claims the fracas was instigated by Chisora. “Moments before declaring he wanted to go face-to-face with me, Chisora assured the gathered media that he would give me ‘two slaps’. Chisora had, of course, already been shrouded in controversy that weekend,” Haye’s statement read.

“Despite this, Chisora climbed down from the top table, removed his robe and then walked towards me, entourage in tow, in an aggressive manner. I held my ground, but, unfortunately, he caused a serious disturbance to occur, something which threatened to damage the reputation of the sport we both love.”

He added: “Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the ruckus to settle down. It was then that I heard Chisora say he planned to ‘shoot me dead’.

“I decided to leave the venue and return to my hotel, a move which I hoped would defuse the situation.

“However, Chisora’s team were staying at the same hotel as me and, in light of the threats Chisora had made in front of the world’s media, it seemed far more appropriate for me and Adam to leave the hotel as quickly as possible.

“Consequently, I left Munich on an earlier flight on Sunday morning and have been thinking about what happened ever since, as well as replaying the incident many times via YouTube.

“It goes without saying, I am bitterly disappointed to have been a part of what transpired on Saturday evening.”

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