• Boxing

Burns fight delayed following Vazquez viral infection

ESPN staff
March 4, 2013
Ricky Burns still wants to fight Miguel Vazquez in order to unify the belts © Getty Images
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Ricky Burns' unification fight against Miguel Vazquez has been rescheduled after the latter was advised to rest after picking up a severe viral infection caused by food poisoning.

Burns, the WBO lightweight champion, was due to take on IBF world champion Vazquez on March 16 at Wembley Arena, but the fight has now been delayed and will be staged on April 20.

With the chance of bringing in a replacement for Vazquez, Burns felt the fight against the Mexican should still take place in order for the 29-year-old Scot to unify the belts.

"It's very unfortunate that Vazquez has had to withdraw so close to the fight, 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," promoter Frank Warren said.

"Therefore I have had to postpone the fight, not cancelled as stated in some media reports, to Saturday 20th 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."

The delay also means WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly's fight against Robin Krasniqi has been affected, but with Cleverly unable to train for the past five days because of a stomach virus, the delay will be a welcome one for him.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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