FORMER WBO super-welterweight champion Liam Smith has been forced out of a challenge for the world title he used to hold. He wasย due to fight the new championย Sadam Ali in Verona in the United States on May 12.
Smith has had an allergic reaction and after falling ill finds himself unable to compete.
He wants to reschedule the fight but reports indicate that Golden Boy, Aliโs promoter, is looking at alternative opponents.
Ali won the belt in an upset victory over Miguel Cotto last year and wants to capitalise on his new found prominence.
โIโm bitterly disappointed that I have been forced to postpone my fight with Sadam Ali to a later date,โ said Smith. โA recent illness has severely impacted on my training schedule, leaving me with no choice but to postpone the May 12 date.
โIโve been out of training for eight days. Weโre not sure exactly what was wrong with me but it appears to be some sort of allergic reaction. Iโm not injured and Iโm hoping that the fight can be rescheduled quickly.
โIโm gutted for Ali and all of the fans that were looking forward to watching the fight. Iโd like to thank Golden Boy promotions and my promoter Frank Warren for working on a new date for the fight.
โAli is a world class fighter and I need to be fully prepared for when I step in the ring with him. I want to give the fans a fight to remember.”