Boxing: BBBC dismayed by Lewis brawl

The British Boxing Board of Control have reacted with dismay to last night’s televised brawl between Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman in California.

The pair, who clash in a world heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas on November 17, knocked over a table and fought on the floor of an American television studio after Lewis reacted angrily to jibes from his opponent which he believed questioned his sexuality.

The BBBC’s general secretary Simon Block said the unseemly spat had done nothing to boost Lewis’ image and tarnished his reputation as one of the sport’s role models.

Block said: ‘‘Lennox Lewis has been a model champion and he has conducted himself so well inside and outside the ring.

‘‘Whilst at this moment it is unclear who instigated the problem, I am very sorry that Lennox has found himself dragged into it.

‘‘This has done nothing to enhance his prestige, particularly amongst non-boxing people, nor indeed the prestige of the sport.’’

The Board are unlikely, and in any event largely unable, to pursue the incidents further given that the bout itself is happening outside its jurisdiction.

But with the fighters still expected in Britain next week for their next leg of their publicity campaign, Block insisted the pair should put their differences behind them for the good of their sport.

He added: ‘‘I urge both fighters, both of whom I know to be decent people, to put this behind them and make sure that the public are aware that all the action they will see will take place inside the ring on November 17.

‘‘I was very sorry to see what happened at this press conference. It was not really very funny and it was very, very poor for boxing.’’