Bout postponed after gun threat

Published on 15/03/2012 12:06

CAPITAL boxer Kenny ‘Widowmaker’ Anderson’s upcoming clash against George Groves has been shelved after gangsters vowed to shoot the Londoner during the fight, it has been claimed.

Police are reported to have warned Groves, 23, and his fiancee following a tip-off that he could be targetted by gunmen while in the ring.

The Commonwealth supermiddleweight cancelled tomorrow’s fight at Wembley Arena, citing a back injury.

His management said the withdrawl was unrelated to “alleged threats”.

City-based Anderson has accused the World Number 12 of withdrawing to secure a world-title fight with German Robert Stieglitz it has been reported. But Groves said: “I truly apologise to everyone who made plans around the fight. I suffered a back injury sparring and haven’t trained properly since.”

In November 2010, Groves defeated Anderson in the sixth round of a bout. It is not known whether a rematch will take place.

A police spokesman was reported as saying: “We can confirm that a threat to the welfare of a man was made to police in Hounslow.”