Feuding snooker stars to settle row in the ring

SNOOKER stars Quinten Hann and Mark King will swap cues for boxing gloves to settle their feud as a bout was today confirmed for York Hall, Bethnal Green, on June 11.

The bad feeling which spilled over from last month’s World Championships in Sheffield is now set to blow up again at British boxing’s most famous small hall.

The fall-out has simmered since Hann’s 10-4 defeat by Devon’s Andy Hick in the first round at The Crucible when referee Lawrie Annandale intervened to prevent the players coming to blows as they squared up on live television.

King, who has a history of disagreements with Hann, has stepped in on behalf of his friend, telling the Australian: "Pick on someone your own size." Both insist the bout is for real and are training with amateur boxing clubs.

The showdown, titled ‘Pot Whack’, will be over three two-minute rounds - the maximum allowed for novice boxers.