David Haye and Dereck Chisora regret brawl

Dereck Chisora will be hauled in front of a British Boxing Board of
Control hearing on March 14 in relation to his conduct "prior, during
and after" Saturday's WBC heavyweight title defeat against Vitali
Klitschko in Munich.

The Londoner "wholeheartedly apologised" for his "inexcusable" actions in Germany this afternoon, which the Board had earlier vowed to investigate.

On Friday the 28-year-old slapped opponent Klitschko at the weigh-in. He then spat water at the champion's brother Wladimir in the ring and brawled with British rival David Haye at the post-fight press conference at the Olympiahalle, threatening to "shoot" Haye. He was arrested by Munich police yesterday but released after questioning.

In a statement, Board secretary Robert Smith said: "Mr Dereck Chisora has been called to appear before the Stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday, 14th March 2012 under Regulation 25 (misconduct) with regard to his behaviour prior, during and after his contest for the World Boxing Council Heavyweight Championship against Vitali Klitschko on Saturday, 18th February 2012 in Munich.

"A further statement will be issued following this Hearing."

Haye is not currently answerable to the Board, having relinquished his licence in October when he officially retired. However, he would need to re-apply if he wanted to fight again.

Chisora said in a statement released to Press Association Sport: "Following the extensive media coverage that my WBC world heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitschko in Munich at the weekend has attracted, I feel I must wholeheartedly apologise for my part in the regrettable scenes both before and after what was to be the biggest night of my career.

"Whilst my behaviour was inexcusable, there were many things that went on behind the scenes that ultimately caused my frustrations to boil over, however this is of course no excuse."

Chisora claimed at the time to have been "glassed" and reiterated his claim that he was hit by a bottle.

He said: "I cannot go into the specific details at the moment as quite rightly the British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating this matter and also the altercation that took place between David Haye and myself where I was struck by a bottle.

"Despite all of this, the bottom line is, I have let my family, my team and worst of all the sport I love down.

"I acknowledge that my actions were totally unprofessional, with or without provocation. Now, with a cool head and the benefit of hindsight, my actions at the weekend were regrettable to say the least and I am deeply embarrassed at the scenes reported in the media.

"I acknowledge that I have a duty as a professional boxer to conduct myself properly at all times, especially with boxing being a sport of controlled aggression. I have let lots of people down on Saturday night, including myself, and for that I am truly sorry.

"In Munich I fully co-operated with the German authorities and as a result I was released without charge. I will be making no further comment at this stage and will wait for any formal hearing to take place."

Haye - still wanted by Munich Police - also spoke out this afternoon and says he will assist the boxing authorities in their enquiries.

He said: "I realise I am no angel - and don't mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise boxing's profile - but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas.

"If requested, I shall happily assist the boxing authorities with any investigation they wish to launch and, ultimately, hope that all lessons learned from this incident will be implemented."

Haye claims the fracas was instigated by Chisora.

"Moments before declaring he wanted to go face-to-face with me, Chisora assured the gathered media that he would give me 'two slaps'. Chisora had, of course, already been shrouded in controversy that weekend," Haye's statement read.

"Despite this, Chisora climbed down from the top table, removed his robe and then walked towards me, entourage in tow, in an aggressive manner.

"I held my ground, but, unfortunately, he caused a serious disturbance to occur, something which threatened to damage the reputation of the sport we both love.

"Regrettably, some members of his entourage also encouraged the chaos. Nevertheless, Chisora and I soon separated, brushed ourselves down and moved in opposite directions. The confrontation then reignited, however, and both (Chisora's trainer) Don Charles and (Haye's manager) Adam Booth became involved in the mess. Adam suffered a cut to the head.

"Thankfully, it didn't take long for the ruckus to again settle down. It was then that I heard Chisora say he planned to 'shoot me dead'.

"I decided to leave the venue and return to my hotel, a move which I hoped would defuse the situation. However, Chisora's team were staying at the same hotel as me and, in light of the threats Chisora had made in front of the world's media, it seemed far more appropriate for me and Adam to leave the hotel as quickly as possible.

"Consequently, I left Munich on an earlier flight on Sunday morning and have been thinking about what happened ever since, as well as replaying the incident many times via YouTube. It goes without saying, I am bitterly disappointed to have been a part of what transpired on Saturday evening."

Munich Police spokesman Gottfried Schlicht said: "I don't know whether British police have been contacted yet because that is the job of the court, not the Munich Police.

"We have to ask the court in Munich and the court goes to Scotland Yard or wherever in the UK.

"That is likely to happen but I don't know how long the process will take. My opinion is that it should or will happen as soon as possible but I can't say whether that will take days or weeks. I don't know."

Schlicht admits detectives are at an impasse until Haye is located.

"Until we speak to Haye, nothing more can happen," he said.

"We need both sides. We've heard Dereck Chisora and now we wait to hear David Haye."

PA