Wright withdraws from Theophane fight

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Nigel Wright has withdrawn from Saturday’s title fight against Kilburn’s Ashley Theophane for medical reasons.

British light-welterweight champion Theophane (pictured above) will now defend his crown against southern-area champion Ben Murphy, who has vowed to cause an upset despite stepping in at short notice.

Wright, the current English champion, would have enjoyed home advantage at the Peterlee Leisure Centre in his home county of Durham.

Instead, an unexpected opportunity falls to Hove-based 31-year-old Murphy, a former contestant in the Prizefighter series who has a record of 8-4-1.

One of those eight victories came against current British super-featherweight champion Gary Buckland in 2008.

Murphy declared: “I’m in the shape of my life and raring to go. Theophane won’t know what’s hit him come Saturday night.

“Since winning the southern-area title I’ve been down the gym training hard for a chance like this, and I couldn’t believe it when I got the call and had no hesitation in taking the fight.

“My trainer Johnny Eames told me opportunities like this come around once in a lifetime, and this is why I must always be prepared.”

Promoter Frank Maloney said: “Murphy is in great shape. He’s been live in the gym and deserves a crack at the title for his professional approach to boxing and I believe this will make a great fight on Saturday.

“I feel sorry for Nigel Wright but I don’t think we could have got a more prepared replacement than Ben Murphy.”

Theophane’s change of opponent continues a run of bad fortune for west London boxers.

James DeGale’s clash with Jose Maria Guerrero in Liverpool on Friday has been postponed.

And George Groves, who was scheduled to appear on the bill as well as DeGale, recently withdrew from his planned fight because of a hand injury.

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