Boxing
The British heavyweight champion, Scott Welch, has been cleared by the Board of Control to fight Joe Bugner in Ireland. The board twice refused Bugner a licence to challenge Welch for his World Organiation inter- continental title, but it has given Welch permission to meet the former British and European champion in the Republic.
The promoter, Frank Warren, who had hoped to stage Welch v Bugner on his 16 March show in Glasgow, said: "This situation is farcical. The board will not allow this contest to take place in the UK, despite my appeals, but they will allow it in Ireland. Something is very wrong here and although I am delighted that the board has sanctioned this fight, I intend to ask how they can justify their decision."
The Board secretary, John Morris, said: "We have given Welch permission to fight Bugner in Ireland. It is now a matter for the Irish union to decide whether they grant Bugner a licence." Warren must now find a convenient slot, such as the Steve Collins v Neville Brown WBO super-middleweight championship promotion in Millstreet on 9 March.
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