GROVES HEADLINES THE EXCEL THIS SATURDAY

WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns will now not be defending his title this Saturday at the Excel London.

The show will still go ahead with FIVE titles on the card and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion George Groves’ title defence against Glen Johnson now tops the night, plus Billy Joe Saunders in a Commonwealth and vacant British Middleweight title showdown against Nick Blackwell and an exciting clash between Steve O’Meara and Liam Smith for the Vacant Commonwealth Light-Middleweight title.

Burns, who’s original challenger Liam Walsh had to withdraw because of car accident, will not be facing Ocampo due to contractual issues with TV.

The Scotsman’s return has now been postponed to the end of January and further details will be announced shortly.

It has been a frustrating time for everyone involved, particularly Burns who has trained hard for the last six weeks and was looking to close 2012 on a high after a sensational win against Kevin Mitchell last time out.

Promoter Frank Warren said, “It’s a very disappointing time and I feel for Ricky who has put in a lot of hard work to prepare, first for Walsh and then Ocampo, and now he won’t be on the show this Saturday, but will be return in late January .  However, the show will go ahead this Saturday and it’s a very strong card headlined now by Groves against Johnson, plus Saunders against Blackwell and O’Meara against Smith, who many are tipping to be the fight of the night.  Also, the WBO International Cruiserweight Champion Tony Conquest defends his title against Neil Dawson and Bradley Skeete challenges Chas Symonds for the Southern Area Welterweight title.  Despite Burns’ being off, fans are still in for a great night of boxing.”

Burns’ manager Alex Morrison added, “Obviously Ricky was disappointed but he took it on the chin and he’s taken a philosophical approach to it now.  He knows that these things happen and it’s unfortunate, but he knows that he’ll be out in the New Year.  Ricky will take a week’s rest and then he’ll start back in training again.”