Boxing: Flu KOs Anderson warm-up

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 08:40

CELTIC super-middleweight champion Kenny Anderson's six-round bout with Welshman Jamie Ambler in Lancashire on Sunday has been cancelled after a flu outbreak forced four other bouts on the bill to be called off, writes BRIAN DONALD.

But Edinburgh ace Anderson's coach Kevin Maree, called the cancellation a "blessing in disguise".

Maree said: "Kenny was fit and raring to go but four boxers all called of with flu.

"But we have now organised extensive sparring sessions for Kenny with top-rated unbeaten Cuban Louis Garcia.

"Garcia, with all due respect to Jamie Ambler, will sharpen up Anderson for his forthcoming British super-middleweight title eliminator in Glasgow in January with tough and tricky Paul David much more than a six-rounder with Ambler would ever have done.

"In addition, we are drafting in several super-middleweights and light-heavyweights from Tony Bellew's Liverpool gym so that Kenny will be in the best fighting fettle of his pro career for the David clash.

"My biggest problem with Anderson right now is that is he is champing at the bit to get into action but sparring with a class ring act like Garcia will ensure he gets the best kind of demanding ring action short of an actual bout."