Bad Left Hook

The Daily Star reports that the British Boxing Board of Control is considering what would essentially be the boxing death sentence for Dereck Chisora after his press conference brawl with David Haye: A lifetime ban from the sport.

Dereck Chisora is facing a lifetime boxing ban after brawling with David Haye in a post-fight press conference. ... The British Boxing Board of Control have launched an investigation and are considering the ultimate punishment for Chisora by revoking his licence to fight.

Board supremo Robert Smith said: "It was just crazy and unacceptable. It was a shameful night for British boxing. I’m embarrassed and disappointed and they should be ashamed of themselves. They have let themselves and boxing down."

This is probably unlikely to happen -- his license may indeed be revoked, but I can't imagine this being grounds for a lifetime ban. As embarrassing for the Board and for the sport as it might be, it simply is not quite that serious.

As I said yesterday, what I would do if it were my call would be a one-year ban for both; since Haye does not currently have a boxing license, it would be a one-year ban from applying, basically. A year has an impact on their careers and makes clear that this is not something that can be repeated or will be taken lightly. Also, you levy some pretty heavy fines.

[ Chisora vs Haye Brawl - Video ]

What do you do with others involved on the side, like Haye's manager-trainer Adam Booth and members of Chisora's team? I think you've probably got to fine them, but I wouldn't imagine they need to face suspension. I doubt they were looking for fights here. They got involved to whatever degree because they kind of had to, I suppose.

Of course, in Chisora's case, there's more than just the Haye brawl for the Board to consider. They also must discuss his slapping Vitali Klitschko at the weigh-in, and his spitting in the face of Wladimir Klitschko just before the fight began. Most serious of all may not be the brawl with Haye, but the repeated death threats he made, which may sound stupid because it's "just talk," but, y'know -- they're death threats no matter how you slice it.