British Board's Smith, Warren Talk Further on Chisora

As reported earlier on BoxingScene.com, the British Boxing Board of Control have withdrawn Dereck Chisora's license following his behavior in Munich last month, deeming him "not a fit and proper person" to hold one.

The Londoner was involved in a number of controversial incidents before and after his WBC heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitschko at the Olympiahalle on March 18, slapping his opponent at the weigh-in and spitting water at the Ukrainian's brother Wladimir just prior to the contest - which he lost on points - before becoming embroiled in a brawl with British rival David Haye at the post-fight press conference.

Chisora, already handed an indefinite ban and fine by the World Boxing Council, was called before the BBBoC in Cardiff on Wednesday and after a hearing which lasted around four hours, it was confirmed that the 28-year-old's license had been withdrawn.

Board general secretary Robert Smith said: "Dereck Chisora, by his own admission, did not behave in a manner consistent of a professional boxer and let down not only himself and his family but also all of those licence holders who behave in a professional and disciplined manner.

"The stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control want to make it absolutely clear that such behaviour by any licence holder will not be tolerated.

"Accordingly, they have decided that Dereck Chisora is not a fit and proper person to hold a British Boxing Board of Control boxer's licence and his licence has been withdrawn with immediate effect."

Asked if it was effectively a life ban, Smith said: "It has been withdrawn. There is no set period for when he can reapply for his license.

"Any person is allowed to reapply at some point and the Board will consider any application, but for today, Mr Chisora does not hold a Board license. What happens in the future, I do not know."

Smith also stressed that while the BBBoC cannot hold Haye to account because he is officially retired, they would consider his role in the events in Munich should he apply to regain his licence.

Chisora, who was smiling and laughing outside the Board headquarters this evening as his promoter Frank Warren addressed the media, has 14 days to appeal.

The fighter spoke briefly himself, saying he was not happy about what had happened today but revealing he did apologise to the BBBoC stewards - as he already had done to the wider public in a statement released shortly after the Munich episode.

He also made a cryptic comment when asked if he had anything to say to his fans.

"Three letters - MGM, here I come," he said.

That would appear to be a reference to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a regular venue for high-profile fights in the United States. Coincidentally, Haye flew to Vegas less than a week after the two men brawled in Germany, while Chisora also claimed to be flying to the resort.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission would have to decide whether to grant Chisora a licence to fight should he look to arrange a bout there.

Giving his take on the hearing, Warren said: "I was happy with certain aspects of it and unhappy with other aspects of it.

"But the fact of the matter is, slapping someone and spitting water (at someone) is not an acceptable situation.

"I do not accept for one minute that what happened after the fight was Dereck's responsibility - he did not throw the first punch.

"But I think some of the things that Dereck got involved in in the past has caused the Board to make this decision.

"We will now consider over the next few days what the situation is and he will decide whether or not he wants to appeal."

Warren is confident Chisora's career in the ring is not over.

"To be honest, I felt there would be some sort of ban," Warren said.

"You have to take everything into consideration. It is very disappointing, but I suppose the message has to be sent out that some conduct is not acceptable. Everyone has to take some responsibility for what happened in Germany.

"I think he will box again. This is what the guy does for a living. We have to see where we are, but I'm sure in time Dereck Chisora will fight again.

"The fact is, his license being withdrawn means he is not banned anywhere else from boxing, but that is not the point. The point is he is British and he wants to box in Britain."

Warren also said the hearing Chisora has been promised by the WBC - who have suggested the fighter should have anger management treatment - is to take place on March 21.

Dereck Chisora factfile:

1983: December 29 - Born in Zimbabwe before emigrating to Finchley, London.

2005: Wins ABA Championships super-heavyweight category.

2007: Turns professional and claims a second-round stoppage of British-based Hungarian Istvan Kecskes at Wembley Arena.

2008: Beats fellow prospect Sam Sexton with a sixth-round stoppage.

2009: Fined and banned after retrospectively being caught biting Paul Butlin during an eight-round points win.

2010: May - Emphatically defeats former world title challenger Danny Williams in two rounds to take the British heavyweight title.

September - Defends British title with ninth-round stoppage of old foe Sexton, also winning the Norwich fighter's Commonwealth belt.

November - Given 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years after being found guilty of submitting his former girlfriend to a "humiliating" assault.

December - Due to challenge IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany but the Ukrainian pulls out with stomach injury.

2011: April - Rescheduled clash with Klitschko also scrapped, with the champion blaming a slow recovery from injury. Klitschko fights David Haye in July instead.

July - Weighing a career-high 18 stone 9 pounds, loses his titles to Tyson Fury at Wembley Arena.

November - Returns to action with a low-key warm-up win against Remigijus Ziausys.

December - Loses a controversial split decision to home favourite Robert Helenius in Finland, with many feeling the Londoner won the fight for the vacant European title.

Handed a February 2012 shot at WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich, Germany.

2012: February 19: Loses his fight with Klitschko on points, but a brave performance is overshadowed by out-of-the-ring controversies. He slaps Vitali in the face at the weight-in, before spitting water at his brother Wladimir in the ring. After the fight, Chisora becomes involved in a brawl with former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye, with the two trading verbal and physical blows at the post-fight press conference.

February 28 - Handed an "indefinite suspension against fighting again for a WBC title" following his conduct in Munich. The World Boxing Council also say "a serious fine" will be imposed, and demand Chisora undergoes "anger management medical treatment".

March 14 - Chisora has his licence withdrawn by the Board without any timescale being given.