Bookmaker Mr Barney Eastwood is to get libel damages over remarks by Mr Barry McGuigan, the boxer he guided to a world title before their highly publicised split.
In the High Court in Belfast yesterday, the BBC agreed to pay substantial damages to Mr Eastwood and apologised to him.
The out-of-court settlement came eight years after Mr Eastwood was awarded £450,000 against Mr McGuigan and a video company over the boxer's comments about his condition prior to the fight when he lost his world title.
The latest case arose out of a BBC broadcast in May, 1999, in the Sporting Greats series, when the former world champion was interviewed by Eamonn Holmes.
Mr Ben Stephens QC, for Mr Eastwood, said it was suggested in the programme that Mr Eastwood, who was Mr McGuigan's manager, had not prepared the boxer properly for a world championship defence in 1986 when he was beaten by Steve Cruz.
"This allegation was entirely without foundation and reflected adversely on Mr Eastwood's professional integrity," said Mr Stephens.
He said the BBC regretted publishing the allegation, withdrew it unreservedly and wished to apologise publicly to Mr Eastwood.
"The BBC has agreed to pay Mr Eastwood a substantial sum by way of damages and to pay his legal costs."
Mr Stephens said Mr Eastwood accepted the BBC did not wish or intend to attack his reputation.
Mr Henry Toner QC, for the BBC, said the BBC wished to associate itself with the remarks by Mr Eastwood's counsel and to repeat their regret that the allegation was broadcast.
Outside the court Mr Paul Tweed, a partner in the law firm, Johnsons, speaking on behalf of Mr Eastwood, said: "Although Mr Eastwood was extremely disappointed the BBC should have seen fit to allow the broadcast in the first place, he is very satisfied with the outcome, including the categoric apology by the BBC.
"He hopes that this will finally see an end to a saga which had already been the subject of a clear and decisive jury verdict in our client's favour some time ago."