Virus rules Braehmer out of Smith bout

BERLIN: German boxer Jurgen Braehmer has pulled out of his World Boxing Super Series semi-final against Liverpool’s Callum Smith on Saturday in Nuremberg because of a virus.

“Unfortunately, there is no way of fighting in this condition,” said Braehmer, who has 49 wins, 35 knock-outs and three defeats in his career.“It’s not possible to climb into the ring like this and I want to apologise to my fans.“I was well prepared and looking forward to the bout against Callum.”

Braehmer’s place in Saturday’s super-middleweight semi-final bout against the unbeaten Smith, 27, will be taken by former kick-boxer Nieky Holzken, 34, of the Netherlands.England’s George Groves is already into the final, despite dislocating his shoulder in last Saturday’s unanimous points win against Chris Eubank Jr in the other semi-final.