Ronnie Davies has quit as Tony Oakey's trainer ahead of his WBU light-heavyweight title showdown with Hove's Neil Linford next month.

Davies made the announcement yesterday after being asked by Oakey to drop Linford from his stable.

Both men are trained by Davies in Hove but it had been agreed Oakey would have Davies in his corner for the world title clash in Portsmouth on March 29.

Linford had already moved to Peterborough to complete his preparations with his manager Kevin Sanders but had done so in the knowledge that he would be back with Davies after the fight.

However Oakey, with a pro record of 17 wins from 17 fights and a firm favourite to make a successful third defence of his title in front of his home town fans, was not happy with that arrangement and the situation has now come to a head.

Davies, who guided Chris Eubank to middleweight domination during the Nineties, said: "When the fight was announced, after discussions with Tony Oakey it was agreed I would train Oakey and when the fight was finished Oakey and Linford would return to training together as usual.

"Neil Linford therefore returned to Peterborough to be trained by his manager Kevin Sanders. Oakey and Linford shook hands and concluded that this should be treated as a business arrangement and that their friendship and training arrangement would remain as normal after the fight.

"Unfortunately, during the first week training with me, Oakey decided that he would only continue with me as his trainer in the knowledge that I would train him exclusively not only during the build-up to the fight but also afterwards which ultimately meant that I would have to sack Linford.

"As Linford had moved away from his family and friends in Leicester to train with me in Brighton I believed that I could not let him down and this was not an option that I could consider.

"I think Tony Oakey is a great fighter and I am deeply upset over what has happened. However, this is my final decision and may the best man win."

Ironically Linford, who moved to the city from Leicester last year to further his career under Davies, could now have the much respected trainer in his corner for the fight with Oakey.

Davies would not be drawn on the subject, but it seems unthinkable Linford would not turn to Davies now that he has left Oakey.

Exciting Crawley welterweight Ross Minter will also be on the Portsmouth bill at the Mountbatten Centre.

Minter returns to action against journeyman Karl Taylor at Wembley Conference Centre this Saturday and will be fighting again next month.