Boxing promoter Frank Warren has announced that David Nalbandian and the line judge he injured at Queen’s Club on Sunday will settle their differences in the boxing ring.
Warren has wasted no time in exploiting the publicity surrounding the incident and revealed that the fight will take place on the undercard of the controversial bout between David Haye and Derek Chisora, claiming that it is ‘a fight that the public want to see‘.
‘You’re always going to have your critics in this game and some might say that this is ‘distasteful’, ‘shameful opportunism’ or ‘a complete and utter freak show and waste of everyone’s time’, but the truth of the matter is that this is a fight that people want to happen. And I’m all about giving people what they want, in exchange for them giving me lots of money’ said the veteran promoter.
Neither David Nalbandian or Andrew McDougall hold a current licence with the British Boxing Board of Control, with one being a tennis player and the other a 54 year old line judge. Because of this the Luxembourg Boxing Federation has once again stepped in to sanction the fight. The BBBC have responded to the announcement by accusing Warren of ‘desperation’.
‘This is the latest distasteful addition to a wholly unsavoury event being organised by Mr Warren’ read a statement released by the BBBC. ‘We would like to re-iterate our position that anybody holding a current BBBC licence will face sanctions and the possible removal of their licence if they take part in this circus. We believe it is this position that has lead to two non-boxers being involved out of desperation on Mr Warren’s part. Frankly the whole event is one step up from making homeless people fight for food. Maybe even a step down actually.’
Many will expect the 30 year old professional sportsman Nalbandian to make light work of his slightly tubby, 54 year old opponent who sits still and stares down a line for a living, but the fight’s promoter feels that McDougall has what it takes to spring a surprise.
‘He may not be in great shape but he feels wronged by what happened at Queen’s Club and has revenge as a motivator, and that is a powerful weapon.’ insisted Warren, ‘But even if he does take a pasting then I still get paid, so everybody’s a winner right?’
