Chioke Tucker has accused Leo Richardson of behaving in a “cowardly” manner after his withdrawal at the eleventh hour from the Bermuda International Boxing Association’s ten-bout card at the BAA Gymnasium on Saturday night.

The pair had been scheduled to meet in the main event, but Richardson plunged the BIBA’s debut event into turmoil when he pulled out on the morning of his super-heavyweight bout, along with the majority of his stable of Controversy Gym boxers.

Richardson, who would have laced up the gloves for the first time in eight years, is understood to have told the organisers that he did not feel comfortable entering his young boxers in an event that had not been sanctioned by the Bermuda Boxing Federation, the sport’s local governing body.

The BBF had warned participants and officials that they risked losing their eligibility to take part in future International Boxing Association (AIBA) events, such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, CAC Games and Pan Am Games.

Tucker, however, poured scorn on Richardson’s reasoning and believed that the 42-year-old, known as “the Lionheart”, simply had lacked the courage to go toe-to-toe with him in the ring.

“I don’t know the reason why Leo did not fight, I just think Leo is a coward for not taking this fight,” said Tucker, of Forty Rego’s Gym.

“I hope the word gets back to him because I’m really upset. His withdrawal was ‘last minute dot com’ and it’s very frustrating, as I’ve put a lot of preparation into training for this fight.

“I’ve got nothing against, Leo but pulling out was a cowardly act. We were the main attraction and a lot of people had paid money to see us fight. You don’t pull out at the last minute like that.

“Leo doesn’t want to fight me. If he ever gets in the ring with me, I guarantee I’ll knock him out in the first round.”

The late withdrawal of Richardson and four of his five Controversy Gym boxers forced nervous-looking organisers into some frantic alterations to the fight card, which was slashed from ten bouts to only six.

Despite the drastic reduction, the hundreds of spectators who paid up to $60 to attend the event remained supportive throughout the evening.

When asked about Richardson’s decision to withdraw Controversy Gym’s boxers from the event, Chuck Renaud, the gym’s most experienced coach, said: “Leo, my right-hand man, didn’t feel comfortable with having our fighters take part in an event that could affect their chances of representing Bermuda at international competitions such the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.”

Although Joanne Rego, the BIBA secretary, was disappointed with the stance taken by Richardson, one of the most popular amateur boxers in Bermuda during his heyday, she said that she understood the thought process behind it.

“I was disappointed [with the withdrawal of Richardson and the Controversy Gym fighters], but it was their decision,” she said. “You can’t get too upset with the guys pulling out because, if they have hopes of going to the Olympics, they did what they had to do.”

Rego said that BIBA, which was formed in late 2012 with a mandate to promote several bouts annually, featuring local and overseas boxers, intended to become the AIBA’s affiliate and urged Debra Smith, the BBF secretary, to do the right thing and disband her organisation.

“The AIBA is the governing body and the BBF is their affiliate, although they are ‘defunct’ and have not had an AGM in well over a year,” Rego said.

“We’re hoping to organise fights every two or three months, but we have to get this mess with the BBF straightened out first. The BIBA are looking to become the AIBA’s affiliate.

“I’m not sure why Mrs Smith is trying to hang on. What is the BFF doing for Bermuda’s young boxers? Tonight’s event could have gone a lot better.”