BBBC to discuss Haye claims

David Haye (left) and Audley Harrison
12 April 2012

The fall-out from David Haye's apparent assertion on Saturday night that he had bet on himself to beat Audley Harrison in the third round of their WBA heavyweight championship bout may not be over yet after the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed they would discuss the fighter's remarks at their board meeting next month.

Haye boasted that he and his friends and family had made money from gambling in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of hapless Harrison in Manchester He has subsequently denied placing a bet on the outcome of the fight and while BBBC board secretary Robert Smith stated earlier on Monday that the denial had been accepted, he later said that Haye's post-fight comments would be looked at.

Smith told Sky Sports News: "The board will consider the comments in their next meeting, we're not going to call an immediate inquiry, we're just going to carry on as normal. We will meet up in December as the board always does, every month. We look at the pitfalls of every show and David's comments will be looked at and we'll take it from there."

Smith added: "I was at the show and I didn't hear (the initial comments) at the time, I heard it on Sunday night and it's disappointing because first and foremost it is a breach of the board's rules and regulations.

"Just like any other sport, we are being looked at very closely with regard to betting at this present time, and we don't need (anyone else) saying he has definitely done this and definitely done that.

"I think (Haye) did just get caught up in the heat of the moment after the fight, but we will have to consider it further."

Smith had also earlier played down the suggestion Haye deliberately did not try fully in the first two rounds in order to match his prediction.

"I don't think so,'' he said. "I was at the fight and to be honest with you, both of them were scared to get beaten, I think, in the first round.

"I watched it again on Sunday night and although it wasn't the best first round I've ever seen, I can understand where they were coming from. But I think you have to say when David did open up, the man was hurt. He went down, he was hurt, and he got up to fight again.

"I was there, I didn't think anything of it at the time. Obviously with all the hullabaloo you think about these things but no, I'm satisfied there was nothing untoward going on."

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