By Terence Dooley

Both Peter McDonagh (28-28-1, 3 early) and his trainer Peter Fury have reacted with incredulity after news leaked via McDonagh’s Twitter account that the 40-year-old boxer has been handed an eight-month ban for lashing out at opponent Shayne Singleton at the weigh-in ahead of their September 23 meeting at the Manchester Arena.  McDonagh lashed out at his opponent when they came face-to-face and his actions prompted a melee between the two camps.

The two men fought right to the final bell on fight night, with McDonagh securing a 10-round decision win to continue his nine-fight winning streak and fine run of recent form under Fury, who guided his nephew, Tyson, to the world heavyweight title in November 2015.

‘I've been banned for the weigh-in (for) eight months,’ McDonagh Tweeted, adding: ‘(I) would like to thank everyone for their support in and out of boxing.  Whatever I chose to do next it could be curtains but had a great journey.  Thanks to all fans, time to think.

‘Mr. McDonagh has been suspended for eight months and has been advised,’ the BBBoC confirmed when contacted by BoxingScene.

Fury believes that his fighter has been harshly treated by the Board, pointing out that McDonagh turned 40 in December and that this sanction could effectively end his career.  “Although punishment of some kind would be OK the ban is too much when no harm to each boxer was committed,” he said when speaking to BoxingScene about the decision.  “An eight months ban at Peter’s stage in his career means a lot of damage for him.”

Their surprise at the decision is backed by a recent precedent after Dereck Chisora was handed a suspended sentence after throwing a table at heavyweight rival Dillian Whyte in December 2016.  The Board allowed the fight to go ahead, but did not let Chisora contest their heavyweight title and later released the following statement:

‘The British Boxing Board of Control held disciplinary proceedings against Dereck Chisora in respect of his conduct at the Press Conference on the 7th December 2016.  At the commencement of the hearing Mr. Chisora admitted that his conduct amounted to misconduct and brought the Sport of boxing into disrepute.

‘The Board considered the matter with great care and concern.  Mr. Chisora’s previous record, which is not good, was considered, as was a letter written to him, his opponent Dillian Whyte, his manager and the promoters by the General Secretary of the Board, dated the 16th November 2016, warning them that they should not misbehave and bring the Sport of boxing into disrepute prior to the contest.

‘Having viewed and listened to a recording of what occurred the Board concluded that Mr. Chisora’s behaviour fell far short of that expected from a licensed boxer.  Indeed his behaviour was wholly unacceptable and deserving of condign punishment.

‘In the result the Board has decided to impose the following sanctions upon Mr. Chisora:

1. Suspend his licence for a period of two years, suspended for two years;

2. Withdrawal by the Board of its approval for the contest with Dillian Whyte to be for the British Heavyweight Championship;

3. Fine him the sum of £25,000.00p, such sum to be paid from his purse within seven days;

4. Order him to pay £5,000.00p towards the costs of the hearing, such sum to be paid from his purse within seven days.’

Long seen as merely a fun, have-a-go journeyman, McDonagh has rattled off 10 wins and a draw since losing to Bradley Skeete in a BBBoC Southern Area welterweight title fight in 2013 (L10).  He is also represented by MTK Global.  The former Southern Area light-welterweight titlist had hoped to use the win over former English light-welterweight title-holder Singleton as a springboard for a final fling in 2018, but it may be his last in-ring action if the ban stands and he opts against taking fights in different territories.

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