Christodoulou to ref Chisora vs Haye fight

Jul 13, 2012 | David Isaacson | 1 comments

TOP ring official Stan Christodoulou will be one of the three judges in the controversial heavyweight grudge fight between Dereck Chisora and David Haye in London tomorrow night.

Zimbabwe-born Chisora was suspended by the British boxing authorities after his foul-tempered performance that overshadowed his fight against Vitali Klitschko earlier this year.

He slapped the World Boxing Council champion at the weigh-in, then spat water in his face in the ring before the opening bell and finally got into a row with Haye at the post-fight press conference.

Haye had supposedly retired from the sport after losing on points to Wladimir Klitschko, claiming that he had struggled with a sore toe.

The fight, at Upton Park, is being staged under the auspices of the Luxembourg boxing commission.

The British commission is a registered company and can't stop promoters working with foreign organisations.

Christodoulou was called up by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

The WBA and World Boxing Organisation are both offering their intercontinental titles, considered stepping stone belts to world crowns, to the winner of the Chisora vs Haye fight.

The bout won't add to the 187 world title bouts officiated by Christodoulou, who will celebrate his 50th anniversary in boxing next year.