Harrison hit harder than Hide

Audley Harrison has been fined twice as much as Herbie Hide following the disturbances, involving both boxers, that followed …

Audley Harrison has been fined twice as much as Herbie Hide following the disturbances, involving both boxers, that followed Harrison's defeat of Mathew Ellis last month.

The British Boxing Board of Control today fined the Olympic gold medallist stg£1,000 for his part in the shameful scenes following his 11th straight professional win at Bethnal Green's York Hall on May 31st.

He was also ordered to pay stg£600 costs. The promoter of the bout, Jess Harding, was given the same punishment, while Hide was fined stg£500 with stg£300 costs following today's disciplinary inquiry.

Hide, who had been invited to sit ringside by the BBC as Harrison beat the Blackpool boxer in two rounds, taunted Harrison after the fight and pushed a woman as a stampede broke out in the London venue.

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Immediately beforehand, Olympic champion Harrison marked his victory by seizing the ring microphone and asking fans whether his next opponent should be Frank Bruno - who was also present at the bout - or Hide.

Hide, who famously brawled with Michael Bentt at a pre-fight press conference in 1994, was visibly angered by the supporters' chant of `Bruno, Bruno' and reacted.

The security firm employed by Harrison - separate from the event security supplied by Headline - came in for the fiercest criticism after video footage clearly showed some of their members, wearing `A-Force Security' T-shirts, involved in the chair-throwing melee.

The BBBC launched an inquiry the next day, culminating in today's sub-committee ruling.

A full board meeting will take place in the future, where recommendations about improved security at bouts will be discussed.

BBC general secretary Simon Block confirmed to The Press Association tonight: "Some specific allegations were made against Herbie Hide, Audley Harrison and Jess Harding - not all proven - but all were found guilty of specific matters.

"Jess Harding was responsible as the promoter for the failures of the security company that he employed and in consequence was fined the sum of stg£1,000 with #600 costs.

"Audley Harrison was found guilty in respect of comments he made directed at personnel along the BBC TV side of the ring which contributed to or exacerbated the situation. He was fined stg£1,000 with stg£600 costs.

"Herbie Hide was found guilty in respect of having pushed a woman - having been pushed - which led to the second and most serious disturbance of the evening. He was fined a sum of stg£500 with stg£300 costs."