Boxing: Benn and trainer part

NIGEL BENN'S trainer, Jimmy Tibbs, has parted company with the World Boxing Council super-middleweight champion after a dispute over payment for the fight with Chris Eubank next month at Old Trafford.

Tibbs' decision follows an impressive year-long partnership during which he is credited with guiding Benn back to the top. 'We had a superb year but during the preparation for the last fight I sensed something was wrong.' Tibbs said.

The trainer, who once worked with Frank Bruno before a similar split with Terry Lawless and Micky Duff, said he had originally been promised pounds 70,000 for the Eubank fight.

But he said the figure had now dropped to pounds 40,000. 'I was prepared to accept less than the 10 per cent I'm entitled to but 4 per cent for such an important fight is simply not on,' he added.

Benn, meets WBO champion Eubank in the world title fight on 9 October.