By Terence Dooley
The fall out from David Haye's proposed meeting with Dereck Chisora at Upton Park on July 14 has become a political issue after the Luxembourg government waded into the row with a neat one-two by slamming the match and withdrawing the Luxembourg Boxing Federation's government subsidies.
The two boxers caused a stir when brawling at a post-fight press conference in Munich after Chisora's decision defeat to WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko in February. Arguments for and against the fight have waged since it was announced, with the Luxembourg government taking a hard line against the LBF's decision to licence both men and sanction the contest.
"The [Sports] minister was not amused by this initiative," said a Luxembourg official when talking about the LBF's decision to give both men licences despite the BBBoC's protests against the fight. "This does nothing to further the value of sport or the image of Luxembourg in general." The decision means that the LBF will lose between €3,000 and €4,000 per year.
However, Toni Tiberi, the LBF's secretary general, insists that this type of grudge match is part and parcel of the sport. "You saw incidents with [Joe] Frazier and [George] Foreman. Tyson bit an ear and was still allowed to box. This fight will be a real match and not one just put on for show," said Tiberi when defending their decision to grant both boxers LBF licenses.
The European Boxing Union have yet to wade into the row despite calls for them to make their position clear either way. The governing body are expected to outline their position at some point during the coming week as the Haye-Chisora controvery continues to grow at a rapid rate, which only serves to fuel the general public's desire to see the much talked-about bout.
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