Leo Richardson insists that he has no regrets about his decision to withdraw from his scheduled super-heavyweight bout against Chioke Tucker in the Bermuda International Boxing Association’s debut card at BAA Gymnasium on Saturday night.

Richardson, who adopts the moniker “Lionheart”, pulled out of the bout at the eleventh hour because of his concerns about being involved in an event that had not been recognised by the Bermuda Boxing Federation, the sport’s local governing body.

The 42-year-old, who has not fought in eight years, also decided to withdraw his stable of Controversy Gym boxers after it emerged that the bout could affect their chances of representing the Island at international competitions.

Richardson’s decision, made shortly after the weigh-in on Saturday morning, forced the BIBA to drastically reduce its card from ten to six bouts, and prompted Tucker, his opponent, to call into question Richardson’s integrity as a boxer.

However, Richardson said that he had the best interests of his young boxers at heart and had no desire to become embroiled in a war of words with Tucker, of Forty Rego’s Gym.

“I respect that Chioke had trained hard for this fight,” Richardson said. “But I had also trained extremely hard for the fight and had dropped 9lbs in two weeks.

“I was very upset with what happened and I apologise to everyone who spent their money to watch Chioke and myself fight.

“I understand that a lot of people were disappointed that the fight didn’t take place, but I had to do what I felt was right.”

Just two days before the bout, the BBF had reminded participants and officials that they risked losing their eligibility to take part in future International Boxing Association (AIBA) events, such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

That warning, Richardson said, was the only motivating factor behind his withdrawal and not because he “lacked courage”, an accusation that was levelled at him by a frustrated Tucker, who had been scheduled to make his first appearance in front of a Bermuda crowd.

“I’m not going to get into verbals with Chioke,” Richardson added. “I would still love this fight to happen, but it’s got to be done right.

“I was doing this fight not for me, or Chioke, but to help raise the profile of the event for the youngsters taking part. All BIBA had to do was say that these fights were exhibitions and therefore would not go on my fighters’ records and affect their chances of competing at the Olympics and other international competitions.

“When they couldn’t assure me that my fighters’ chances of competing at the Olympics would not be hindered, then I felt I could no longer take part and withdrew my fighters.

“One of Controversy’s fighters [Naizari Roberts] decided to fight anyway and he did awesome. All of Controversy’s fighters would have done awesome had they boxed.”