Furious Ensley Bingham's world title dream is in ruins - and
the top Manchester boxer is pulling no punches about who he
blames.
Bingham says it is all promoter Frank Warren's fault. But
Warren has hit back pinning the blame on the fighter.
The Moss Side star is livid after big-money plans for him to
fight in South Africa for Harry Simon's WBO light-middleweight
belt were KO'd.
Britain's biggest promoter Warren had lined up the world
title shot for Johannesburg in January and wanted the Phoenix
Camp fighter to give up his British crown in the meantime.
Warren wanted to pit Kevin Lueshing and Nicky Thurbin against
each other for Bingham's title in Cheshunt last Saturday.
Fans who bought tickets for the show thought the fight was
for the British title - but Bingham had not relinquished it! He
says he insisted on holding on to his British title until his
world title fight was a certainty.
"I wanted a guarantee in writing that the world title
fight would take place, but when it came on the fax it had other
clauses which I was not happy with. It would have meant vacating
a British title which I had worked so hard for, and not being
certain of a world title fight."
But Warren says that Bingham had already signed a contract to
fight for the world title, but wanted to include a clause which
was unacceptable.
Warren told M.E.N. Sport: "I told Ensley he should
vacate the British title and should he then be beaten by Harry
Simon, he could have another go at the British title.
"He said he would only go ahead with the world title
fight if he was assured of a new British title bid within 60
days, if he should lose to Simon."
Bingham has complained to the British Boxing Board of Control
because he has also been stripped of his WBO inter-continental
title without his knowledge.
Bingham says: "The WBO haven't followed the proper
procedure in taking that title from me.
"They said they sent me a letter giving me 90 days'
notice to defend, but that is rubbish because such letters are
sent to a fighter's manager. I won the title... and now politics
have taken it away."
But Warren says that because Bingham signed to fight for the
world title, he could no longer be inter-continental champion,
under WBO rules.
The Board of Control has expressed its sympathy for Bingham's
case, and has promised that the matter is not closed.
Board secretary John Morris told M.E.N Sport today: "I
want Ensley's position from him in writing. We will be taking th
matter up directly with the WBO president in Puerto Rico.
"I am very worried about the circumstances in which a
British boxer was stripped of his title. I completely understand
why Ensley is enraged - I would be as well."
Bingham is not about to let the matter rest - he is
consulting lawyers with view towards taking legal action against
both Warren and the WBO.