DERECK CHISORA HAS apologised ‘wholeheartedly’ for his part in Saturday’s post-fight fight with David Haye.
The row erupted as Chisora was conducting a media briefing after his unsuccessful WBC World Heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night.
He and Haye become embroiled in a war of wards which escalated into an all out brawl in front of the world’s media.
Now, after the pair each released a public statement’ the British Boxing Board of control (BBBC) have called for Chisora to appear before them on a misconduct charge on Match 14th.
Chisora has branded his own behaviour as ‘inexcusable’ but avoided specific details due to the imminent BBBC investigation.
“The bottom line is,” Chisora said in his statement (replicated here by the Daily Mail), “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 regretable to say the least and I am deeply embarrassed at the scenes reported in the media.”
Chisora’s short press release came hot on the heels of a lengthy transcription from Haye.
Unlike, his younger rival, Haye stopped short of apologising for his part in the melee. Instead, he moved to clarify some aspects the controversy.
The 31-year-old even managed to avoid regret for throwing the opening punch of the scrap and instead implied the blame onto Chisora.
“I realise I am no angel – and don’t mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise boxing’s profile,” said Haye, concluding the statement, “but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas.”
Haye had reportedly fled the scene and escaped the German borders undetected while Chisora was detained by Munich police for questioning before he could board his return flight to London.
Beating the drum
The former heavyweight champion used this juncture to offer his assistance to any investigation by boxing authorities, but made no mention of a police investigation. He did however, seek to shift more of the blame onto his counterpart whilst recounting his side of how events unfolded:
“I felt as though the public would want to hear more information about (a potential bout between Haye and Vitali Klitschko) and that we could both start beating the drum ahead of a showdown later this year.
“However, at this point Chisora began firing insults at me from his position on the top table. In fact, he has recently made a habit of saying derogatory things about me in the press.
“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.”
“Regrettably, some members of his entourage also encouraged the chaos.”
Haye also claimed that his early departure was an attempt to diffuse the situation, something which this statement has not:
“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.”
