• David Haye v Dereck Chisora

Warren ramps up war of words with BBBoC

The fight between David Haye and Dereck Chisora is causing quite a stir © PA Photos

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The ill-feeling that is lingering following the confirmation of David Haye's fight with Dereck Chisora looks set to rumble on after Frank Warren revealed more than 20,000 tickets have already been sold for the heavyweight showdown.

The British Boxing Board of Control has condemned the decision to stage the fight, which will take place at West Ham's Upton Park on July 14, insisting that the Luxembourg Boxing Federation, who are sanctioning the fight, would "bring the sport of boxing into disrepute and would wholly undermine the authority of the BBBoC".

Neither boxer holds a British licence - Haye relinquished his upon 'retiring' in October 2011, while Chisora had his withdrawn by BBBoC following a brawl between the pair in Munich in February - and BBBoC has threatened santons against all those involved.

However, Warren - who promotes Chisora - says the governing body's consent is not required and has fuelled the fire further by highlighting the amount of interest in the domestic clash.

"We've sold more than 20,000 since they went on sale on Wednesday morning. The capacity is 40,000," he told BBC Sport. "I'm sure there's more interest than there would have been if there hadn't been a fracas.

"I always felt it was a fight the fans would want to watch. The [British Boxing] board's blessing is not required. Chisora was not banned from boxing, and everyone is missing that point.

"They [BBBofC] made it clear when they withdrew Chisora's licence he was free to go to any other federation. The door was left open for him to re-apply for a licence. His appeal, for some reason, got delayed until July. He did what was suggested by them. Not just him, but also David Haye."

The BBBoC issued a statement on Wednesday, in which it warned those involved in the bout they run the risk of having their licence terminated - not that Warren, who holds a licence as a promoter, is overly concerned.

"If they think I'm going to just roll over and let that happen then they're sorely mistaken," he added. I'm disappointed. I don't understand why they're taking this stance.

"The problem is with the board, not with Dereck Chisora. It's just that the fight is happening in the UK. The BBBofC have been involved and licensed fights in Dubai, Egypt and Portugal in the past."

Robert Smith, the board's general secretary, said the promotion of a fight not sanctioned by the BBBoC had "crossed the limit".

He told BBC Sport: "We certainly wouldn't go to Luxembourg to run a show, and we don't expect them to come here and run a show. We run professional boxing in this country, we are the recognised governing body and we don't feel it's right that someone else from Europe should come in and do this. And certainly not licence someone who had their licence taken away on a disciplinary matter.

"We are not daft, we know that the fight will have interest but it's not good for the sport. We understand the type of people who are attracted to boxing, it is a tough sport and we have to deal with some tough people. But there is a limit, and this has crossed the limit."

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