WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has called off his title defence against Paul Williams because of a hand injury.
Hand infection forces American out for the second time
WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has called off his title defence against Paul Williams because of a hand injury.
Pavlik has withdrawn from a clash with Williams for the second time, having previously postponed their fight in October with the same infection in his left hand.
The most recent meeting was set to take place at Atlantic City on December 5 but Pavlik's promoter Top Rank said the 27-year-old is unable to make a fist or punch with the injured hand.
President of Top Rank, Todd duBoef said Pavlik's recovery has "not progressed as projected by Dr Peter Evans at the Cleveland Clinic. Once Pavlik is cleared medically by Dr Evans, we will pursue all avenues with regards to a future bout."
Pavlik, who believes the infection could stem from his defeat by Bernard Hopkins last October, returned in February to stop contender Marco Antonio Rubio in Ohio, but the American hasn't fought since.
Top Rank blamed the hand injury for the postponement and cancellation of another fight against Sergio Mora for June 27, even though Pavlik publicly claimed he was healthy.
Williams hasn't fought since a convincing victory over Winky Wright in April - and the 28-year-old's promoter Dan Goossen said he will look for a different opponent.
"These are the circumstances that you try to avoid and move past, and I'm not going to sit here and denigrate Pavlik or Top Rank," Goossen said. "They all had their chance."
