HERBIE Hide, involved in an undignified punch-up with the World Boxing
Organisation's heavyweight champion Michael Bentt on Monday, has
retained the British title -- without breaking sweat.
The Boxing Board of Control decided it would be an ''injustice'' if
they stripped the Nigerian-born fighter of the crown, even though they
conceded that because of a Home Office mistake, he was not a British
subject or citizen when he won the title 11 months ago.
With the advice of lawyers, the Board decided to use their discretion
to save Hide's championship, as the nationality doubt was caused through
no fault of his.
Although the 22-year-old, a British resident since being a minor,
applied for citizenship in 1988, it was not rubber-stamped until April,
two months after he beat Michael Murray to win the vacant title.
Heavyweight rival Henry Akinwande issued a writ, claiming that Hide
should be stripped of the title -- and there was an initial Board
hearing last month, which was adjourned for Home Office clarification.
''I am delighted,'' said Hide. ''It now means that I can get into the
ring against Michael Bentt on March 19 as British champion.''
Meanwhile, Hide's manager Barry Hearn has issued complaints to the
Board and the WBO about Bentt's behaviour at the recent news conference
when punches were thrown more than two months before the bout at
Millwall Football Club.
* GARRY Delaney, the West Ham ''hammer'', took seven rounds to nail
South Africa's durable Jim Murray at York Hall, Bethnal Green, last
night.
Delaney's fifteenth professional victory and his tenth inside the
distance meant he comfortably retained his WBO Penta Continental
light-heavyweight title -- three weeks after having won it.
Time and again, Delaney's big shot landed on Scots-born Murray's head
and chin, but he soaked them up until referee Larry O'Connell decided
the challenger had taken one major punch too many.
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