06-24-2016, 03:28 PM
Monty Betham's boxing future in doubt after he pulls out of title fight
Monty Betham has pulled out of his rematch with James Langton.
Monty Betham's boxing future has become clouded after he pulled out of his rematch with James Langton.
Betham was due to fight Langton in Opunake, south Taranaki, next Thursday for the New Zealand cruiserweight crown, the belt he won in an unanimous points decision when the two met in Auckland in November.
However, Betham withdrew after he underwent a MRI scan that showed up some issues.
"We're going to have a look at the results on Wednesday and see what the process going forward is in terms of fixing the problem," he said.
READ MORE:
* Betham accepts rematch with James Langton
* Super 8: Betham wins NZ cruiserweight title
Betham became unwell after a recent sparring session in preparation for facing Langton.
"It was nothing that dazed me but after sparring there were a few complications - and at the moment I've got no movement through my lower back. It's weird how it's all come about. I'm lucky I've got great doctors to help me through the situation.
"After I talked to the specialist I said 'health is No 1. I box because I love it and it's fun but family comes first and health is a priority so it's about seeing what comes back to me in terms of their thoughts and I'll assess what happens after that."
Betham (8-1) had hoped his rematch with Langton (10-4), which would also be for the IBO Asia Pacific belt, would be the first of five fights that could springboard the former Warriors star into a position to challenge for the IBO world title.
Ad Feedback
Meanwhile, Langton confirmed they had found a replacement for Betham with Lance Bryant accepting the chance to fight for the IBO Asia belt as well the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for the New Zealand title if Betham returned to the ring.
"We've found the hardest possible person James could have fought," Coastal Rumble promoter Kelly Langton said.
"We could have taken an easy option and just found someone we know James could beat but we haven't done that. James was confident he could have beaten Monty and he's equally confident he can beat Bryant."
The two are no strangers having sparred together a little over a month ago when Bryant was preparing to meet Monty Filimaea, a bout he won in an unanimous points decision over six rounds to take his record to 7-3.
The former four-time national amateur champion was also ranked higher than Langton at No 3 among New Zealand's cruiserweights.
Monty Betham has pulled out of his rematch with James Langton.
Monty Betham's boxing future has become clouded after he pulled out of his rematch with James Langton.
Betham was due to fight Langton in Opunake, south Taranaki, next Thursday for the New Zealand cruiserweight crown, the belt he won in an unanimous points decision when the two met in Auckland in November.
However, Betham withdrew after he underwent a MRI scan that showed up some issues.
"We're going to have a look at the results on Wednesday and see what the process going forward is in terms of fixing the problem," he said.
READ MORE:
* Betham accepts rematch with James Langton
* Super 8: Betham wins NZ cruiserweight title
Betham became unwell after a recent sparring session in preparation for facing Langton.
"It was nothing that dazed me but after sparring there were a few complications - and at the moment I've got no movement through my lower back. It's weird how it's all come about. I'm lucky I've got great doctors to help me through the situation.
"After I talked to the specialist I said 'health is No 1. I box because I love it and it's fun but family comes first and health is a priority so it's about seeing what comes back to me in terms of their thoughts and I'll assess what happens after that."
Betham (8-1) had hoped his rematch with Langton (10-4), which would also be for the IBO Asia Pacific belt, would be the first of five fights that could springboard the former Warriors star into a position to challenge for the IBO world title.
Ad Feedback
Meanwhile, Langton confirmed they had found a replacement for Betham with Lance Bryant accepting the chance to fight for the IBO Asia belt as well the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for the New Zealand title if Betham returned to the ring.
"We've found the hardest possible person James could have fought," Coastal Rumble promoter Kelly Langton said.
"We could have taken an easy option and just found someone we know James could beat but we haven't done that. James was confident he could have beaten Monty and he's equally confident he can beat Bryant."
The two are no strangers having sparred together a little over a month ago when Bryant was preparing to meet Monty Filimaea, a bout he won in an unanimous points decision over six rounds to take his record to 7-3.
The former four-time national amateur champion was also ranked higher than Langton at No 3 among New Zealand's cruiserweights.