Klitschko: I had to postpone clash

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO had no option but to call off his fight with former cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck in Germany on Saturday, according to his manager.

Klitschko, the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion has failed to recover in time for the bout in Dusseldorf after undergoing an operation at the weekend to remove a kidney stone. The Ukrainian, 35, initially hoped he would have recovered in time but has now been advised to pull out.

Berndt Boente, Klitschko’s promoter, said in Dusseldorf: “Wladimir is crushed and ruined as he did everything he could to give a show to his loyal, beloved fans. But the pain is too much to overcome at this moment.”