David Haye and Dereck Chisora given go-ahead say organisers

Published on 06/06/2012 17:57

The controversial boxing fight between David Haye and Dereck Chisora will definitely go ahead, according to organisers, after the Luxembourg Boxing Federation reiterated its support for the fight despite a threat of expulsion from the European Boxing Union.

Haye’s heavyweight grudge match against Chisora at Upton Park next month has had to be sanctioned by the LBF as both fighters do not hold a British licence.

Last weekend the EBU general assembly passed a motion that decreed the LBF would be thrown out of the European organisation if they continued to back the fight.

But despite this threat, the LBF last night voted in favour of backing the bout by eight votes to four at a special general meeting in Luxembourg.

A statement released by Frank Warren Promotions read: “Therefore the LBF is backing the show along with the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and the World Boxing Association (WBA), whose’ International and Intercontinental titles will be contested, and the promotion will definitely go ahead.”

Last night’s events are the latest instalment in what has been a controversial build-up to the fight between the two Londoners, who caused outrage in February when they brawled at a press conference that followed Chisora’s defeat to Vitali Klitschko.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) threatened to expel all those involved in the July 14 fight without a hearing, although they softened their stance last weekend by claiming anyone charged would be able to answer their case.

Warren, who manages Chisora, has said he intends to issue legal proceedings against the BBBofC.

WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko branded the bout a “freak show”, but Warren insists the fight is legal and is adamant that Chisora should be allowed to take on Haye as he has not been able to box since February.

Haye has not fought since an embarrassing defeat to the younger Klitschko brother last summer - a loss he partly blamed on a broken little toe.