Ricky Hatton defends Haye v Chisora

Ricky Hatton today declared David Haye and Dereck Chisora are not doing "anything wrong" by arranging to settle their differences in the ring.

The bitter heavyweight rivals will clash in a contest non-sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control on July 14, but ordered by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.

If the fight goes ahead it could set a precedent and the tremors are being felt on the world stage – the WBC have warned both fighters could be expelled from their umbrella.

But more than 20,000 tickets have already been shifted for the fight at West Ham FC's Upton Park and the interest is only picking up speed.

And Manchester hero Hatton, who drew 55,000 fans at what is now the Etihad Stadium in 2008, admits the bigwigs are powerless to stop the fight.

Speaking from a sportsman's dinner at Aston Villa on Friday night, he said: "Neither Frank Warren, David Haye or Dereck Chisora are doing anything wrong, but the board must be a bit gutted about it.

"They have said how they are not happy and they should be punished and they are serious about it but they are not breaking any rules."

The Haye and Chisora feud began with at an ugly post-fight press conference after Chisora's wide points defeat to WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in February.

Haye had gatecrashed the briefing intending to call Vitali out after his lifeless challenge to his brother, Wladimir, in a multi world title bout the previous July.

A wild melee ensued while Haye wasn't under licence while later Chisora had his revoked, for that and on the back of incidents with Vitali post- match, which Hatton thought was typical.

He said: "You can't condone David Haye's performance but he's never behaved like that before, but Dereck Chisora seems to do it every time.

"If that hadn't happened at the press conference it wouldn't have been made and I can't condone it, but I will be watching it!"