Boxing: Anderson title ambitions on hold as Paul pulls out

KENNY ANDERSON admitted today to being "totally gutted" after his British title eliminator bout with Paul David was cancelled.

Edinburgh super-middleweight Anderson was set to take on Northampton-based David at the St Andrew's Sporting Club in Glasgow tonight before his opponent withdrew with gastroenteritis.

Anderson admitted: "I'm sorry when any boxer is ill but I can't help wondering if David's gut problems were also aggravated by the fact that I weighed in on Friday at a career best 11st 12lb. This meant I would have entered the ring in the best shape of my pro career and ready to do a number on David.

"I hope now the Board of Boxing Control give him a month to recover then order him to fight me again as neither my mentor Barry McGuigan or I mean to hang about in 2010.

"I want a British title fight this year – once I beat Paul David or whoever else stands in my way."

Meanwhile, former world featherweight champion McGuigan added: "After working fantastically hard during the festive season, Kenny was poised not just to stake his claim to the British super-middleweight title but put on a show and beat David in spectacular fashion.

"The St Andrew's Sporting club fans have also been deprived of witnessing a great winning performance by Kenny.

"I now aim to try to keep Anderson ticking over with another warm-up bout until David recovers."

Fight promoter Tommy Gilmour revealed his intention to stage the fight in Glasgow on 15 March.

He said: "I now intend to put the Anderson versus David title eliminator on the special show celebrating the promotion of my 300th boxing bill on 15 March in Glasgow.

"I did try to keep Anderson on tonight's St Andrew's club bill– which will still go ahead – but I just couldn't get anyone willing to box Anderson."

Neither Paul David or his coach Dominic Ingle were available for comment about the late cancellation.

LOCHEND amateur duo, featherweight Josh Taylor and welterweight Tommy Philbin, have been selected to attend a training camp in Malta for 2010 Commonwealth games boxers between January 28-February 6.

Meanwhile, two Lochend boxers posted narrow but impressive points victories at the weekend in Denny. Light-flyweight Liam Tervit outscored Auchengeich rival, Josh Taplin, while his featherweight clubmate, Kevin Skey, outpointed host club Denny's Liam Moles.