Former footballer John Fashanu has taken over day-to-day management of Herbie Hide's business affairs. The news was announced amid the farcical scene of a cancelled press conference in London's West End yesterday to promote the Norwich fighter's WBO heavyweight title defence at Norwich Sport Village in January. Hide had been due to hold court with promoter Frank Warren at the Cafe de Paris off Leicester Square to talk about the first defence of his belt against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

But with Hide failing to show for the appointed 11.30 a.m. start, Warren left the venue in some despair on other business just after midday.

At 12.15 p.m., Hide finally arrived side-by-side with Fashanu.