Boxing: Injury setback for Weaver (From Bournemouth Echo)

Boxing: Injury setback for Weaver

7:00am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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IAIN Weaver has been forced to pull out of tonight’s prestigious Great Britain versus the Rest of the World international amateur clash in Cardiff due to injury.

The Ferndown-based featherweight, considered to be one of Britain’s hottest prospects for a medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, sustained a leg injury sparring earlier this week.

Weaver, who had been due to go up against Chinese number two Juan Tan at the Cardiff International Arena, has been sidelined for about four weeks.

But the 20-year-old has shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on performing in front of boxing legends Roberto Duran, Vitali Klitschko and Joe Calzaghe during the three-day WBC Night of Champions festival in the Welsh capital.

Weaver, who won silver at the European Championships in Moscow last month, said: “It’s just one of those things. Injuries can happen at any time.

“It would have been new territory for me to box one of the Chinese guys. But there is nothing I can do about it now.

“I had an accident in the gym on Tuesday. I twisted my ankle and pulled the ligaments in my leg. I can’t walk on it. I’m on crutches.

“I was sparring and went over on my ankle. It was just a freak accident. It’s all part and parcel of the game. The doctors reckon it will take about four weeks for the ligaments to heal.

“I was training really hard for the fight against Tan and was in good shape, so I’m gutted. But a few weeks off won’t do me any harm.

“I’ll have a few weeks off and then start getting ready for the Commonwealth Games, which are being staged at New Delhi in India in a couple of months’ time.

“I’m still going to Wales to watch the rest of the British boys box in the international. I’m not going to let this setback get me down. Luke Campbell, the other 57kg boxer in the squad, will take on Tan. I’ll be supporting Luke and the rest of the guys.”