Chisora Suspended by WBC

Dereck Chisora has been suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council for his behaviour before and after his fight with Vitali Klitschko.

British heavyweight Chisora was involved in a brawl with countryman David Haye at the news conference after his defeat by the Ukrainian in Munich.

Chisora also slapped Klitschko at the weigh-in and spat water in the face of his brother Wladimir before the bout.

“I don't understand how someone can be banned without having a hearing. I've never ever heard of anything like that. There's been no hearing”Frank WarrenChisora's manager

The WBC said it was "one of the worst behaviours ever by a professional".

The body demanded Chisora, 28, seeks anger management treatment before considering whether to lift the suspension.

Jose Sulaiman, president of the WBC, said the authority would also look to impose a "serious" fine on the Zimbabwe-born fighter.

The Londoner, ranked 14th in the WBC's heavyweight division, will also be taken out of the organisation's rankings.

"The WBC is absolutely condemning behaviours that are not to be accepted in boxing under any circumstances and will act as soon as it can proceed to impose the fines and sanctions as we consider necessary," said a statement issued by the organisation.

"Boxers are gentlemen and show to the world an example of honour and fair play when, after a tremendous battle, they go to the centre of the ring to pay respect to each other.

"Dereck Chisora is not going to tarnish the sport for those born in the humblest beds, who become sports heroes of the world to live a life of dignity and pride."

Chisora is due before a British Boxing Board of Control hearing on 14 March, and his manager Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 live: "I don't understand how someone can be banned without having a hearing. I've never ever heard of anything like that. There's been no hearing.

"There were some things which he did which absolutely were wrong and he shouldn't have done, and I'm not condoning that but there were a lot of things happening behind the scenes. All this stuff needs to be taken into consideration before anyone decides what happened.

"Everybody is entitled to natural justice no matter what they've done."

“"It's an indication of how a lot of people in boxing are feeling. It means he can't box for any title that comes under the jurisdiction of the World Boxing Council but potentially he could still fight for one of the other three world titles”

Mike CostelloBBC boxing commentator

Underdog Chisora earned plenty of plaudits despite his points defeat by heavy favourite Klitschko in Munich on 18 February.

But all the post-fight headlines were overshadowed by the brawl between Chisora and former WBA champion Haye, who lost to Wladimir Klitschko in July.

Chisora accused Haye of glassing him, with Haye later admitting he was holding a bottlewhen he punched his fellow Briton.

Chisora threatened to shoot Haye after the clash and was detained by German police the following morning, though he was later released without charge. Haye, who has officially retired from the sport, left the country without speaking to police. Both fighters have since apologised for their behaviour.

BBC boxing commentator Mike Costello believes the outcome of the BBBofC hearing will be pivotal for Chisora's future.

"They have his licence and if they decide to ban him then his only option is leaving the country to try to get a licence - but even that won't be straight forward because they will support whatever decision the BBBofC come to," Costello told BBC Radio 5 live.

Junhui Beaten in Round 1 by Long

Ding Junhui went out of the World Open at the first round stage after a shock defeat to wildcard entrant Jin Long.

Ding, who had won the Welsh Open just nine days earlier, suffered a 5-1 loss in Haikou to his fellow Chinese player.

After taking a 3-1 lead going into the interval, Jin did not look back, hitting a 76 break in the fifth frame before clinching a famous victory.

World champion John Higgins and UK champion Judd Trump also progressed to the second round.

Higgins beat Marco Fu 5-3. Fu had smashed in a maximum 147 break in the qualifiers, but was unable to defeat the four-time world champion, who will face either Martin Gould or Jamie Cope in the next round.

Trump advanced after whitewashing Andrew Higginson 5-0. The Romford-based left-hander had a highest break of 111, and will next play the winner of the match between Mark Allen and Jimmy Robertson.

Michael Holt and Stephen Lee also won their matches without conceding a frame against Stuart Bingham and Dominic Dale respectively.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Shaun Murphy, who defeated Ricky Walden 5-3, and Graeme Dott, who won 5-2 against Barry Hawkins.

WEDNESDAY'S FIRST ROUND MATCHES

Mark Selby v Lu Ning

Mark Williams v Mark King

Mark Allen v Jimmy Robertson

Matthew Stevens v Joe Perry

Stephen Maguire v Robert Milkins

Neil Robertson v Stephen Hendry

Martin Gould v Jamie Cope

Long Run Schools for Betfred

Long Run will have a schooling session with jumping guru Yogi Breisner next week in preparation for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old also had his first workout since his victory at Newbury two weeks ago on Tuesday morning.

"He came out of Newbury well and did his first bit of work this morning," said the Seven Barrows handler.

"He'll have one session with Yogi Breisner next week and won't see a fence between now and then.

"He'll wear earplugs in the parade (at Cheltenham) and they will come out at the start."

Henderson admits Kauto Star will be a formidable opponent at Cheltenham.

"I don't think there's any doubt this is a different horse to the one we were playing with last year," Henderson said of Kauto Star.

"I think he was going through a patch last year and people were baying for his retirement. I wish Paul had listened!

"He has even avoided going through the final fence now - he has put the whole thing together.

"At Kempton we were only beaten a couple of lengths and (Long Run) had really winged the last we might have got it down.

"Ruby (Walsh) has really put the turbo on early with Kauto this year and (Cheltenham) is a different track to do it on.

"In the Gold Cup they tend to wind up the pace and if he's going to go on, he's got another two and a half furlongs up the hill to go."

Favourite

Henderson added: "We were two-love up and now it's two-all and it's going to be a very interesting battle.

"I've a nasty feeling public opinion will go with the old favourite and I'll be a very unpopular if we beat him.

"Last year was a great Gold Cup. It's all to play for and I don't think there's much between them."

One weapon Henderson has up his sleeve is the use of earplugs, which the French-bred has traditionally worn during races.

"He will have them for the parade, as we want to block that out, but they will come off in the race," he said.

second string

Seven Barrows suddenly boasts another Gold Cup contender in Burton Port, who closed to just half a length behind Long Run at Newbury when in receipt of 10lb.

However, it was his first start for a year and a quarter and Henderson is wary of the 'bounce factor' - when horses run well on their return from a lay-off but fail to back it up the next time.

"We got the impression he had improved at home and we weren't surprised how he ran," the trainer said.

"He got 10lb at Newbury and he's got to improve more than that, but I think there is improvement.

"We've just got to pray there's no dreaded 'bounce'.

"No-one has been able to explain it, but it does happen and you have to be wary about it. But he does look fantastic."

Punters should also hold their bets for the John Smith's Grand National on Burton Port, even if it is owner Trevor Hemmings' favourite race.

Henderson continued: "Trevor has very much said, 'This is a good horse - let's win the Gold Cup, rather than leave him for Aintree."'

Rory Lamont Faces 4 Month Rehab

Scotland winger Rory Lamont is facing three to four months of rehabilitation after breaking his leg.

Lamont sustained a fractured fibula in Sunday's Six Nations loss to France and was subsequently operated on at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

"Rory is comfortable," said Scotland team doctor James Robson.

"His convalescence will get under way at once. Injuries of this nature require typically three to four months of rehabilitation."

The 29-year-old required oxygen treatment at Murrayfield and was stretchered off after 30 minutes when his lower leg twisted awkwardly.

In addition to Lamont's misfortune, Scotland saw two other players depart with injuries.

Scrum-half Mike Blair was forced off with a dead leg, while fly-half Greig Laidlaw suffered concussion.

Laidlaw will now be subject to 'return to play protocols' which could make him doubtful for Scotland's next game against Ireland in Dublin on 10 March.

Centre Graeme Morrison also requires further assessment on a knee injury, while lock Richie Gray and flanker John Barclay suffered dead legs, lock Jim Hamilton leg bruising, while Lamont's brother Sean suffered an abrasion to his right eye.

Scotland were leading 10-7 when Rory Lamont came off worse after competing with Louis Picamoles for the restart kick following Wesley Fofana's try for France.

Play was delayed for around five minutes while the Glasgow player was treated and then carried off, while Blair - who had injected energy into Scotland's early endeavours - also departed at the same time.

Lamont, who has won 29 caps, made a try-scoring debut for Scotland against Wales in 2005, but his career has been blighted by injuries.

He underwent eight operations in six years up until 2009, the year he was forced to miss the entire Six Nations after suffering ankle ligament damage while playing for Sale in a Heineken Cup game in late 2008.

At the time he said he believed his abrasive style of play made him more susceptible to injuries

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Bellamy Leads Wales in Speed Memorial

Craig Bellamy is to regain the Welsh captaincy and lead the national team in the memorial game for his friend Gary Speed against Costa Rica on Wednesday.

The Liverpool striker takes the armband from Aaron Ramsey for the Cardiff City Stadium match as the Arsenal midfielder is injured an ankle problem.

The 21-year-old went off in Arsenal's FA Cup defeat at Sunderland and missed their 5-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday.

"For obvious reasons Craig will lead the side," said coach Osian Roberts.

"He knew Gary better than anybody, he is a close friend of the Speed family and it seems only right that he should lead Wales on the night."

Wales will be without Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey (ankle) with either Lewis Price or Jason Brown likely to deputise as Birmingham's Boaz Myhill struggles with an Achilles problem.

Wolves midfielder David Edwards is also a doubt because of a knee injury.

Bellamy was a long-time team-mate of Speed with both Wales and Newcastle United so the friendly will be an emotional fixture for the 32-year-old.

He last skippered Wales in their Euro 2012 opening qualifying defeat in Montenegro in September 2010 before resigning from the Wales captaincy in December 2010

Bellamy, fifth in Wales' all-time top goal-scorer list with 19 goals, leads Wales in what could be the Cardiff-born player's 68th and final international in his home town.

He has said he is considering international retirement after Wednesday's friendly but new Wales manager Chris Coleman has talked to Bellamy about extending his international career to the end of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ramsey was appointed Wales captain by Speed in March 2011 and the Arsenal playmaker helped guide Wales from 113th in the world and into the top 50 as Speed's side won four of their last five games before the former Wales manager's death in November 2011.

Coleman was confirmed as successor to old friend Speed in January and he admits he "doesn't want to change too much" so has continued with young Ramsey as Wales skipper.

But Ramsey will miss Coleman's first game because of a "small ankle injury" that forced him off in the 53rd minute of Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at The Stadium of Light on 18 February.

Coleman praised vice captain Ashley Williams, after the Swansea defender allowed Bellamy to take the armband.

"It is a real nice gesture from Ashley Williams," said the Wales boss.

"I spoke with Ashley yesterday, and it's a different game, there is no getting around it.

"It's a friendly building to the big one against Belgium in September, but there is a different slant on the game for obvious reasons.

"It is fitting. Aaron is our captain and he will be leading the team out with Gary's two sons, Tom and Ed, and Craig is captain on the night, which is right thing to to and it is also a nice gesture from Ashley Williams."

Speed's father Roger, meanwhile, is to address the squad in the changing room before they take the field.

The match against Costa Rica will be the first that Coleman will be involved with as national boss, although Speed's assistant coach Osian Roberts will take charge of the team on the night.

Roberts was due to lead the team with Speed's other number two Raymond Verheijen until the Dutchman resigned last week - but he has confirmed he will be at the game after being invited by Speed's family.

Wales, who go into the game against Costa Rica have risen seven places to 42 in the latest Fifa rankings , recall Bolton full-back Sam Ricketts, who returns after a lengthy spell out through injury.

Coleman's squad also have a friendly against Mexico in New York booked for 27 May and another against Bosnia-Herzegovina at home on 15 August, and begin their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Belgium on 7 September.