No immaculate Concepion this Christmas

Martin Concepcion has pulled out of his scheduled English middleweight title fight against Nick Blackwell.

'Bang Bang' Blackwell, a challenger for British and Commonwealth honours earlier this year when the youngster was overwhelmed by Martin Murray, was set to put his belt on the line against the Leicester power puncher (pictured) in front of his home-town crowd at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Saturday, December 17.

The bill still goes ahead with Blackwell boxing Slovakian southpaw Robert Blazo for the vacant International Masters strap.

He says the fight with Concepcion will be rescheduled for next March and added: “Nick is disappointed, but he’s looking at this as an opportunity to win another title in front of his home crowd.

“Concepcion was going to be a tough fight and his replacement looks just as tough.

“I’ve told Nick that 2012 will be a massive year for him. He could be challenging for the British title again – but he has to win his next fight.”

Liam Richards, the hard-as-nails Melksham scrapper and current British Masters featherweight champion plus road warrior Dan Carr and Nick Blackwell's brother, Dan, are also boxing on the bill.

Image by Stuart Ellis