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Ricky Burns 'gutted' as title fight against Miguel Vasquez called off
Ricky Burns's world lightweight unification fight against Miguel Vazquez has been postponed.
They were due to meet in London on 16 March but IBF champion Vazquez has pulled out with a viral infection.
Instead of WBO title-holder Burns fighting a replacement, the match has been rescheduled for 20 April at the same venue, London's Wembley Arena.
Nathan Cleverly's defence of his WBO light-heavyweight title against Robert Krasniqi has also been postponed.
George Groves, who was due to challenge for the European super-middleweight crown, had already withdrawn from the card after splitting from promoter Frank Warren.
Burns, 29, said on Twitter: "Absolutely gutted this fight ain't happening, another training camp and it's fell through.
"Not only that, feel sorry for the fans, my friends and family who have now booked tickets, flights and hotels for 2 fights for it to fall through."
Burns, from Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire, has not fought since beating Kevin Mitchell last September.
He was supposed to make the third defence of his WBO belt against Liam Walsh last December only for the Englishman to be injured in a car crash.
Burns then declined an exhibition fight after stand-in opponent Jose Ocampo also pulled out.
"It's very unfortunate that Vazquez has had to withdraw so close to the fight," said Warren.
"But it is on medical grounds, which is beyond my control, due to his viral infection, and we have his doctor's certificate confirming this.
"Therefore I have had to postpone the fight, not cancelled as stated in some media reports, to Saturday 20 April at Wembley Arena.
"Everybody is disappointed by this postponement, but we have worked hard to ensure that Ricky's unification fight still goes ahead."
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Comment number 40.
Geoffrey6th March 2013 - 12:36
I am sorry to say this but Frank Warren is ok for when you are starting out but once you reach a certain level he cannot get you the big fights. As for Ricky Burns, its a real shame this fight is off/postponed because it meant the winner (Burns IMO) would more than likely have fought Broner. I think that those 2 are the leading lightweights in the world so could have us a trilogy if Burns wins!
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Comment number 39.
Paul Hop6th March 2013 - 0:03
@31 and 32
Not sure who you are both talking about,I only know one Ronald Winky Wright,the link below will tell you who I'm talking about http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=3600&cat=boxer.I have put in a few searches and I can't find another Winky Wright.He actually won 11 world title fights not 7 as I said previously,my mistake.
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Comment number 38.
SirAdamOfWarburton5th March 2013 - 19:40
@37 Just watched Warren on Bunce's boxing hour and he couldnt answer some questions. The guy is definitely losing his grip on the young domestic scene.
He looks increasingly bitter that he is used as a stepping stone to the big time, through promoting people so they become well-known, and they leave for the big bucks.
There will be some examples to the contrary, but from the outside looking in
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Comment number 37.
walshyr325th March 2013 - 16:33
So glad I decided not to get tickets for this fight, Warren is now a joke in Boxing. Glad to see Groves join Matchroom, Eddie Hearn is the number 1 promoter these days, Warren only gets bum fights.............
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Comment number 36.
f1fan20115th March 2013 - 16:26
@34 you are correct. Nice bloke but never really world class. Remember him getting brutally KOd by David Tua then in his last fight beaten up by David Haye.
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Comments 5 of 40