By Terence Dooley
WBO lightweight titlist Ricky Burns, 35-2 (10), will still fight on Saturday's bill at the ExCel Arena according to Frank Warren Promotions, who contacted BoxingScene.com earlier today to confirm that voluntary challenger Jose Ocampo has been definitely ruled out of Burns's latest title fight.
"Jose Ocampo will now not be challenging Ricky Burns for his WBO World Lightweight title at the ExCeL London this Saturday," stated FWP. "Contrary to some reports in media outlets, Ocampo has been withdrawn, Burns will still headline the show and an opponent will be announced shortly."
Burns was due to defend against Cromer’s Liam Walsh, but Walsh was injured in a car crash and the Philippines's Ocampo, 17-5-1 (12) was drafted in. Indeed, his team last night insisted that he would stay in the frame despite the death of his trainer, Danny Bacto, who passed away on Saturday.
Ocampo, though, is now out, and it leaves FWP matchmaker Dean Powell with a job on his hands as he seeks a new opponent for the clash.
The rest of the card remains unchanged and features a further five title fights, including George Groves’s litmus test against Glen Johnson — the entire bill will be show live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch. 54).
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