John Murray fails medical, Gavin Rees fight off

The hotly-anticipated domestic clash between John Murray and Gavin Rees has been cancelled after Murray failed his pre-fight medical.

Murray was scheduled to take on reigning British Lightweight champion Rees on Saturday, December 8 at the London Olympia.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has admitted that the news of Murray's failed BBBofC medical came as a shock.

He said: "Obviously it's disappointing to lose the Rees vs. Murray fight but as always, boxers' safety is paramount.

"For Gavin we will now make the WBA title fight with Richard Abril for early 2013."

As a result unbeaten middleweights John Ryder and Eamonn O'Kane will move onto the televised portion of a bill which also features Darren Barker's return against Kerry Hope and a clash between Lee Purdy and Carson Jones.