Cambridge, England: Former world heavyweight champion Herbie Hide has been sentenced to 22 months in jail for agreeing to sell cocaine in an undercover operation by a British newspaper.
The 42-year-old Briton, who was WBO champion twice in the 1990s, had his sentence reduced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday because of the entrapment tactics employed by the Sun on Sunday newspaper in meetings set up in January and February.
Hide has had previous convictions for criminal damage, battery, threatening behavior and carrying a knife.
Hide's lawyer, Martin Budworth, said his client "is a shy man and a vulnerable man and was ripe for the picking by experienced and professional men like (Sun on Sunday reporter) Mr. Mahmood," who is known for his sting operations.
Hide became WBO champion in 1994 and again in 1997.
