Exclusive - Fewkes out of title clash by Ian McNeilly May 7th 2008

John Fewkes has had to withdraw from this Saturday's televised and eagerly anticipated English lightweight title bout against Manchester rival John Murray. Fewkes' doctor gave the Sheffield youngster the bad news this afternoon - he's suffering from gastroenteritis. "Everything was going so well," said his deflated trainer, Glyn Rhodes. "Not only was his sparring spot on but he had his weight check from the Board yesterday - bang on 9st 9lb. Then John said he wasn't feeling very good but I wasn't too worried because sometimes you don't feel so good in the week before the fight. "But I told him to go and get it checked out anyway. I'm absolutely gutted for the lad and I feel for the promoter too.  He'd done a load of tickets and now his family and friends are going to lose the deposit on their coaches and all that. "I've faxed the doctor's certificate to the Board and to Mick Hennessy and I gave him my word that this is genuine. We were so ready and up for the fight. John needed the pay day too - but what can you do?  That's boxing. "I try and look for something positive in something bad - better now that it happening on Friday morning. But I'm sick as a dog myself, really." Hopefully the Board will reschedule what is a cracking little domestic tussle.  At the time of writing, a presumably similarly upset John Murray is looking for a short notice opponent.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

Please login before posting comments.

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.