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Ricky Burns 'gutted' as title fight against Miguel Vasquez called off

Last updated on .From the section Boxingcomments40

Ricky Burns

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George Groves, who was due to challenge for the European super-middleweight crown, had already withdrawn from the card after splitting from promoter Frank Warren.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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40 comments

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 13:01 4 Mar 2013

    @12 ... That appears to be the case.. So lets rattle off some names of Americans who fought Brits and when expected to win lost or failed to perform:
    Sugar Ray Robinson ... Lost to Randy Turpin AND Terry Downs.
    Don Curry TKO to Lloyd Honeygan
    Gerald Mclellan lost KO to Nigel Benn
    Oliver McCall lost WBC HW title to Frank Bruno
    Everyone Amercian lost to Lennox Lewis.
    Roy Jones and Bernard H vs JC..

  • Comment posted by Bomber, at 14:19 4 Mar 2013

    The truth behind the postponement can be found here:

    http://news.boxrec.com/news/2013/burns-v-vasquez-unification-doubt-again

    Seems it's down to Frank Warren again and no wonder Burns is upset. He may well ''do a Groves''. Great news for Matchroom.

  • Comment posted by U15635976, at 12:09 4 Mar 2013

    @6 which is why USA did so well at 2012...? The state of American boxing is worse than the British

  • Comment posted by Geoffrey, at 12:36 6 Mar 2013

    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!

  • Comment posted by U14929913, at 00:03 6 Mar 2013

    @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.

  • Comment posted by U14950482, at 19:40 5 Mar 2013

    @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

  • Comment posted by U15022935, at 16:33 5 Mar 2013

    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.............

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 16:26 5 Mar 2013

    @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.

  • Comment posted by U15071444, at 14:59 5 Mar 2013

    For all those talking up Adrien Broner as the next big thing at 23 yrs old..just remember the last young fighter the american's hyped up as the best thing since sliced bread...his name was Jeff Lacy

  • Comment posted by Midas_child, at 14:27 5 Mar 2013

    @33 Think the last American HW champ was John Ruiz

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 13:40 5 Mar 2013

    And when was the last time an American held the HW title? Hmmm... Not sure without checking but it may have been as far back as Hasim Rachman when he beat Lewis. nowadays all big Amercians seem keener on the NBA or NFL. As for the lower divisions, they are not dominated by the USA at all.

  • Comment posted by U14950482, at 09:40 5 Mar 2013

    @31 Gazza.

    Thats the little Winky I was talking about.
    He was meant to take over the world and dominate for years, but until recently he hasnt boxed for a few years. He lost his appetite for boxing and is now looking to regain it after a hiatus.

  • Comment posted by gazza, at 05:31 5 Mar 2013

    No Paul - he clearly means the other Winky Wright - the one who looked good then fizzled out!!

  • Comment posted by U14929913, at 00:45 5 Mar 2013

    @26
    Not sure if you are talking about Ronald Winky Wright,if you are he beat Shane Mosely twice,Felix Trinidad and Ike Quartey,he was a world champion IBF,WBC and WBO and won 7 world title fights.Obviously you can't be talking about him,if you were,you would have known how good he was.

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 19:06 4 Mar 2013

    @27 lol, lets hope so..... Not sure who could.... Maybe Amir...if he doesnt get KOd first of course.....

  • Comment posted by celtic_craig123, at 18:29 4 Mar 2013

    @25 I know what you mean. Rees did look quite small in the Broner fight. Even though Rees did campaign at LWW, I think he still looks small at Lightweight. Isn't he 5' 4" or something? Surely he could even push it and fight at SFW, maybe??
    One thing about Broner, if he keeps shaking his head at people with his mouth open, he'll end up with a broken jaw!

  • Comment posted by U14950482, at 18:16 4 Mar 2013

    @13 You could write an endless list in the middleweight division alone.
    I remember a few years ago when we were told that Winky was the next big thing, Manfredo also.

    Didnt really live up to the expectations did they?

  • Comment posted by Inmyopinion, at 18:06 4 Mar 2013

    A few fighters seem to be jumping ship from Warren as of late, including Groves. Must be a reason.....
    Earlier comment about Broner, he is something special. Vs Rees, Apart from being classier he looked at least two weight divisions bigger to me ... Looked like an utter mismatch even though Rees gave it a really spirited go in the first few rounds and landed some shots he just didnt have the tools

  • Comment posted by U15194496, at 17:35 4 Mar 2013

    Boxing is the only loser here, Gotta feel for Burns and for Cleverly as boxers they want the best but it seems Warren is losing his cred a bit and not able to get them the fights they deserve.

  • Comment posted by Justin150, at 16:46 4 Mar 2013

    #19 Thanks for the information. I miss 606 as well.

    Just in case the fight comes back on, it is a really good fight. Vasquez has some power but not too much, teak tough but certainly within Burns ability to beat.

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