Barker & Rhodes - have they been stripped or have they vacated?

[SimonTemplar]

I have seen on a number of the sites today that although both Darren Barker and Ryan Rhodes have withdrawn from the big Warren bill on 18th September, the vacant European belts at Middleweight and Light Middleweight will still be contested on the night (from a British point of view by Matthew Macklin and Matthew Hall respectively). Does anyone know how this came to pass? Have both Barker and Rhodes vacated their belts? Or have they been stripped already for failing to make the date? I would be surprised if they have been stripped for missing one date injured (considering how many chances some other fighters have had when injured) - after all, they both only won the belts quite recently. But equally, I would be surprised if they have both chosen to vacate rather than just delay the defence a little, I know that Barker for one was saying earlier in the week that he still had his sights on defending against Macklin to settle the domestic rivalry. Anyway, I am rambling: does anyone out there know anything more about this story? I am gutted if it is true, I was looking forward to both fights, I thought Barker-Macklin would be my favourite bout of the evening. Thank you in advance for any replies.

[Decypher]

Have both Barker and Rhodes vacated their belts?

Don't know the facts here, but I can only think that Barker must have agreed to vacate. I also don't think you get stripped just for one injury delay.

[D-MiZe]

I think they're vacating and then having a shot at the winner.

[alza1988]

Yep buddy .The magnificent 7 lol .We're left with a 6 rdr

[tommibhoy]

Apparently both are injured and have vacated, will fight the winners at a later date.

[Decypher]

"RYAN RHODES has been stripped of his European light-middleweight title.

The Sheffield fighter was due to defend his crown against Lukas Konecny in Birmingham on September 18.

Rhodes, 33, hoped a win over Czech Konecny would lead to a third world title shot, but a back injury has left his plans in tatters.

Frank Warren, who is promoting the Magnificent Seven pay-per-view show at the LG Arena, was furious when Rhodes withdrew just a day after Londoner Darren Barker pulled out of his clash with Matthew Macklin.

Warren said: "I won the Rhodes and Barker fights by submitting the biggest purse bids, so it seems pretty weird that they should both pull out.

"I'm told Rhodes had only done about a week in the gym training for the fight and has also been on holiday.

"When boxers withdraw like this of course it hits the promotion. It's just not fair on fight fans, but the show goes on."

Manchester's Matt Hall will replace Rhodes as Konecny's opponent."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/3127147/Rhodes-stripped-of-Euro-crown.html