Hearn calls for action against Haye-Chisora plans

Fellow fight promoter Frank Warren is expected to use a press conference at Upton Park on Tuesday to announce that Haye and Chisora, who were universally condemned for their much-publicised brawl in February, will fight on July 14.

Another promoter, Frank Maloney, has also come out against any proposed fight.

Haye was a colour commentator for the BoxNation coverage of Chisora’s unsuccessful challenge for Vitali Klitschko’s heavyweight crown, and gate-crashed the ensuing press conference which led to a brawl with the defeated 28-year-old.

The melee resulted in Chisora having his licence suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control, while Haye is currently retired from the sport and also has no licence.

Despite this, the fight can go ahead in England if another European country provides the license for the card, something Hearn hopes is prevented.

Hearn told the BBC: "It sounds as if it is true and it's going to pose a real big problem for the British Boxing Board of Control.

"The ruling should go out to the promoters that should they get involved in that fight they will no longer be allowed to operate within the rules of the British Boxing Board of Control.

"We really can't encourage and condone the behaviour of those two fighters by allowing them to come to England and make a lot of money.

"I'm looking to the British Boxing Board of Control to exercise the authority they have.

"Who knows (if the fight will happen) but at the end of the day perhaps the power of the pound note speaks."

"It could be the final nail in British boxing’s coffin," Maloney told the Daily Mail. "I have heard all the talk and I have spoken to the British Boxing Board of Control and I just hope it does not happen.

"The consequences could be huge. It’s ridiculous. If we undermine the British Board, which is by no means perfect, then the sport will be in a mess."

Chisora has an appeal against his suspension coming up on May 14, but was quick to point out that his ongoing issues do not stand in the way of an in-ring confrontation with Haye.

He said: “I'm not banned, I'm not fit enough to hold a licence.

“Banned means you've been banned. But when you're not fit enough that means you're not fit.

“I'm a boxer, I'm a fighter. I love fighting. Someone takes something you love, how are you going to survive and progress in your life? I want to fight again.”

And when quizzed on whether he wants Haye in particular as his next opponent, Chisora was ambivalent, stating: “I want to fight everybody.”