Hide sets the record straight, maintains his innocence and moves on to Holden

19.06 - Despite maintaining his complete innocence, Herbie Hide will pay the £500 fine and £300 costs levied against him at yesterday's British Boxing Board of Control hearing in respect to a disturbance that took place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on May 31st in the interest of getting on with his career.

The former two-times WBO world heavyweight champion now intends to head back to his training camp in Las Vegas to prepare for his clash on July 25th at the Norwich Sports Village against former British title holder Mike Holden, but only after first setting the record straight.

"I would like to address some comments Audley Harrison made following the hearing yesterday," began Hide.

"He said he didn't understand why I was only fined £500, when he was fined twice that much - £1000 - for speaking over the ropes. I wonder if he was listening during the case?"

He continued: "It was found that I had played no part in instigating the initial disturbance that took place. Many witnesses confirmed I stood with my arms crossed during this trouble, wishing to have no part in it despite the fact that I felt I was being harangued and intimidated.

"It was only when I began to move away and climbed on to a table - as I have always stated to avoid the trouble - that I became embroiled by acting in what I have always stated was self defence having been further heavily abused and pushed several times from behind.

"In the heat of the moment I could have had no time to ascertain who I was acting against. Through no fault of my own, I was in an over-crowded and hostile environment. I am only human and acted according to these circumstances.

"This was agreed with and taken into account when the fine was levied against me. This is what Audley seems to have forgotten.

"Even after I fell of off the table, I never threw a punch at any time and made my way to leave, despite being the subject of further vicious attacks by a security guard who has since been dismissed.

"As I stated after the case, it is for all these reasons that I maintain my innocence, as I have done since day one. I even had corroborating statements from independent witnesses who were guests of Audley Harrison's sponsor, but these were unfortunately deemed inadmissible.

"I will, however, not be appealing against the decision as I just want to concentrate on my career and get back in the ring. I cannot wait to take on Mike Holden on July 25th; I am here to bring excitement back to the heavyweight division.

"I just hope now that all the people who were saying I should be banned or that I started the initial trouble are going to say sorry to me, particularly those who had nothing to do with the situation but were all to quick to voice their opinion."

The 31-year-old from Norwich finished: "Perhaps Audley is a bit put out because he turned up with a lawyer who probably cost thousands of pounds whereas I was simply defended by my Press Officer and manager but got a lower fine?

"It is my opinion that none of this would have even happened had he come down from the ring to do an interview with me after his fight with Matthew Ellis as had been planned. I believe he would do well to remember that.

"Despite all of this I am still hopeful that I will fight Audley, even though it is my opinion that he is relocating to America to avoid me. He obviously still has a problem with me, so why don't we sort it out man to man in the ring?"