Boxing: Maloney denies offer to Couch

THE boxing promoter Frank Maloney yesterday denied that he made an offer to stage contests involving Jane Couch, Britain's only female world boxing champion.

Couch had an application for a professional licence rejected last year, but she claimed sexual discrimination against the British Boxing Board of Control and an industrial tribunal ruled in her favour. She has now been recommended for a licence by the BBBC's Western Area Council.

"I have been losing big money without that precious piece of paper they call a licence," Couch said. "Before Christmas I had to turn down pounds 10,000 at Wembley from Maloney."

However, Maloney said that offer was made by someone else and added: "I will not work on any show featuring a women boxer. I flatly deny making any offer myself."