Boxing: Hide fights his corner

BARRY HEARN'S Matchroom organisation yesterday dismissed allegations that the Nigerian-born Herbie Hide was not a British subject when he won the national heavyweight title in February.

Solicitors representing his rival, Henry Akinwande, the European and Commonwealth champion, have issued High Court proceedings against the British Boxing Board of Control and Hide, claiming that the Norwich boxer was not a British subject when he beat Michael Murray for the vacant crown.

But yesterday Matchroom released the text of a letter from the Home Office which seems to support Hide's case.

A Matchroom spokesman said: 'We believe the Home Office are the ultimate authority on nationality in this country and that the British Boxing Board of Control were right to confirm Herbie as British heavyweight champion.'