Boxing: Piper fails to call the tune in union scrap

THE gloves never went on yesterday in the row between the British Boxing Board of Control and the fighters' union.

Two officials from the Professional Boxers Association, chairman Nicky Piper and the secretary Colin McMillan, were barred from attending a news conference in which the board hit back after the PBA's demand for a 'shake-up' of the sport. The union is angry about the lack of insurance for injured boxers, such as Michael Watson.

Piper received a 'phantom' fax, informing him of the conference and travelled from Cardiff to London, only to be refused admission along with McMillan. Board secretary John Morris insisted that no communication was sent from his office to the PBA.

Piper, who is due to fight on 21 September, said: 'I missed a day's training to attend this meeting.'