Cancelled - DeGale's new year show at the Echo Arena

Liverpool’s Echo Arena has announced that the January 27th bill set to take place there, headed by James DeGale, has been cancelled.

DeGale was originally set to co-headline a bill in the city with his super-middleweight rival George Groves on December 9th – a seemingly strange choice of venue given that both boxers are from London.

Groves pulled out citing a hand injury and former British super-middleweight champion DeGale was left to lead the card on his own, defending his WBO Intercontinental title against Jose Maria Guerrero - with the promoters saying a further title fight might be added.

In fact, the December bill was postponed until 27th January.

DeGale was still set to headline this bill against Guerrero, supported by some local talent including Smith brothers Liam and Stephen and unbeaten prospect Joe Selkirk.

Although there has been no official word yet on the promoter’s website, the bill has gone from the schedule of new subscription channel BoxNation.

Selkirk tweeted yesterday afternoon, “Never boxing again in me life! Shity sport has done nothink but stress me out!”

It's not known at the time of writing if the bout and date remain in place - but at another venue.