No end to Wayne row

But Belfast-based O'Neill, who last year became the BBBC's acting chief medical officer following the retirement of Dr Adrian Whiteson, is unhappy. He said: "I feel ethically and morally I can no longer be part of boxing." His move comes at a sensitive time for boxing. Ten days ago, 26-year-old Panamanian Pedro Alcazar died from a brain injury after losing his world super-flyweight title in Las Vegas and, on Monday, Warren is organising a testimonial dinner in London for Michael Watson, who suffered brain damage in a world title fight against Chris Eubank 11 years ago.

Three other doctors connected with the BBBC's Northern Ireland Area Council - Kevin Brady, Ronan O'Hare and Dermot Grant - have also resigned over the McCullough affair. John Campbell, the area secretary, admitted that he, too, would prefer that McCullough did not box again.

He said: "If I were Wayne McCullough I would not go back into boxing after receiving a warning. I can understand why George O'Neill has done this. It is on a matter of principle but I wish he would reconsider-We can't afford to lose people of his stature."

Warren responded: " George O'Neill has been a great supporter of our sport but resigning from the Board isn't helping. He should be working to help boxers from within the sport rather than put himself outside it. From my standpoint, Wayne McCullough's health is the first priority."

Warren, who helped the Board fund the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) brain scans that became compulsory for British boxers following the Watson tragedy, pointed to the support given to McCullough by Dr Richards.

He said: "I think the opinion of the neurosurgeon in this particular case is the one that counts.

"What is required now is a meeting of leading promoters, managers and trainers, the Board's medical panel and the neurosurgeons. We need to thrash this out."