Boxing: Dereck Chisora to fight David Haye at Upton Park

Frank Warren has defended his decision to pit Dereck Chisora against David Haye in a heavyweight grudge match.

Warren, who manages Chisora, confirmed this morning the Londoner will face Haye in a fight to be staged at West Ham's Upton Park ground this summer.

Chisora was stripped of his boxing licence by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBOC) after he slapped Vitali Klitschko before their February fight and brawled with Haye in a press conference that followed the bout, which Warren's fighter lost.

Chisora appealed against the BBBOC's decision but that hearing has been put back to July and the fight has instead been licenced by the Luxembourg boxing association.

"The hearing was put back to July so Dereck will have effectively been out of the ring for six months and that equates, if he was a footballer, to being out of action for 24 matches," Warren told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He has lost half of his purse in sanctions and costs since the Klitschko fight.

"He has no qualifications, the next thing for him to do would be to sign on.

"He is not banned from boxing. The fight has been licenced by the governing body in Luxembourg, which has the same standards as the British Boxing Board of Control.

"It is the biggest fight of the year and the fact of the matter is that the fight is legal, lawful and will go ahead."

A press conference has been called for 1230 this afternoon at West Ham's stadium, in east London. Reports this morning claimed the fight will take place on July 14.

Haye and Chisora sparked outrage when they brawled after the Zimbabwean-born Londoner had lost on points to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

Chisora also spat water at WBA, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in the ring just before the fight against the Ukrainian's brother.

The post-fight brawl led to huge condemnation from across the boxing world, and caused a police investigation.

Haye handed in his licence in October last year when he retired following his embarrassing defeat to Wladimir in Hamburg - a defeat he partly blamed on a broken little toe.

Warren insists a return to the ring for both men is worthwhile and claims whoever wins could set up a clash against the winner of the WBA heavyweight fight between Alexander Povetkin and Hasim Rahman, which is on the undercard of the Upton Park fight.

"I do think (this is good for both boxers' careers) because the winner will be able to fight for a world title," Warren added.

"If Dereck wins this fight I hope he will be facing Povetkin, who is defending his WBA world heavyweight title on the same bill against Hasim Rahman."

PA