Hennessy Sports Statement on Fury vs. Chisora Purse Bids

Hennessy Sports would like to set the record straight concerning recent rumours that have been posted across the internet and in the media regarding the purse bids for the British Heavyweight title fight between challenger Tyson Fury and champion Dereck Chisora following the publication of a circular by the BBB of C on its website on 4 May stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms of the purse bid.

On Wednesday 13th April, Hennessy Sports won via purse bids with a substantial offer, the rights to stage the British Heavyweight title fight, and, in accordance with Regulation 9.31(b) of the BBB of C rules (which states: “The Promoter making the highest bid accepted by the Board shall, within fourteen days of that acceptance, supply the Board with a date and venue for the contest”), submitted these details to the Secretary of the Board, Robert Smith on Wednesday 27th April.

Due to the BBB of C’s requirement for the fight to take place before the end of July and after careful consideration, Hennessy Sports decided that the best possible date for the exciting fight was Saturday 23rd July. After undertaking extensive research and with this being a notoriously bad month to stage an event in the UK and a number of high profile fights already having been announced, Hennessy Sports decided to hold this highly anticipated and exciting British Heavyweight title fight at the fabulous “Plaza de Toros de Marbella”. This upmarket and glamorous Spanish city of Marbella is a popular destination for British tourists and home to many thousands of expats.

Mick Hennessy said: “We had to take a serious look at where and when to stage this fight due to a number of other great fights already happening during the month of July. The end of the month was really the only option we had but at this time of the year it is difficult to promote an event in the UK and after having had extensive discussions with our contacts in Marbella for a while now we took the bull by the horns and decided to hold this at the impressive 8,500 seated capacity Bullring in Marbella.”

“We had the full support and backing of the Spanish Boxing Board, local authorities, the town hall and the tourist board who were all extremely keen to host this prestigious event.”

On Tuesday 3rd May Hennessy Sports received a letter from the BBB of C stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the original purse bid and stating that it intended to open short-term purse bids.

Mick Hennessy said: “I have spoken to my lawyers regarding this and I cannot understand why the BBB of C has not granted approval for the bout, as to my knowledge, there is nothing to prevent a title fight being contested outside of the UK. Let’s not forget that back in August 2007 Brian Magee fought Tony Oakey for the British Light Heavyweight title in Dublin.”

“I’m also shocked and extremely disappointed as to why, having submitted a date and venue on time, I was not given the opportunity to submit an alternative venue for this date if the Board had concerns with the proposed venue, as it was the Board who had refused our proposed choice of venue.”

Mick Hennessy added: “Both fighters were being paid a significant purse. This additional delay is now threatening the commercial viability of the bout if it has to be held in July. This bout had all of the makings to become a remarkable event just like the time when British legends Frank Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan and Gary Mason fought in Marbella back in 1987. But now it looks like lawyers are going to have to get involved to sort this out.”