Boxing: Appleby forced to pull out

FORMER British featherweight champion Paul Appleby has been pulled out of his scheduled appearance on the undercard of the Ricky Burns versus Joseph Laryea WBO super-featherweight title bill in Glasgow on March 12.

An injury to the South Queensferry boxer's right hand has failed to heal sufficiently, leaving coach Terry McCormack with no choice but to keep his man out of the ring.

Explained McCormack: "Paul did his right hand in against Joseph Laryea in the first round of their December clash where the African outpointed Appleby and when he returned to training at the Lochend gym last week for the first time since December, I noticed right away that he was unable to throw right-hand punches with his usual snap and venom.

"Consequently, after informing his promoter Frank Warren and his manager John Barnett of the injury situation, they fully backed my decision to pull him out of the March 12 bill, as he could make his right hand problem even worse simply by punching the bag in the gym, never mind fighting in the ring."