Pull-outs force Scott to switch top show

Jon Pegg and Scott Murray…forced to pull plug on Cannock show.

SCOTT Murray has reluctantly bowed to the inevitable and cancelled his major 10 fight show scheduled for Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on February 7.

The marathon title bill now looks like going ahead at Coventry’s Connexion Arena on March 27, matchmaker Jon Pegg told me. Both promoter Scott and Jon are confident the original stacked card will remain near intact for the new venue and new date.

There’s one likely exception: With possible big fight news looming, Sam Eggington is unlikely to be included on the show.

I feel for Scott who had put a lot of work into what looked a mouthwatering show.

“We had so many pull-outs, we had no choice,” he said. “It always seemed doomed.”

“Doomed” isn’t overstating the situation – fighters fell like skittles.

An advertised title fight involving Tyler Rivers hit the rocks when his opponent withdrew. Walsall’s Lewis Morris withdrew injured, so did Birmingham ticketseller Oscar McCracken. There were others.

Final nail in the coffin was the loss of a proposed Midlands light-welter defence by Minaaz Gurung. The Nuneaton crowd-pleaser announced he was out following a family bereavement.

There are positives to emerge from the switch to Coventry. Scott’s hoping Danny Quartermaine, who has a huge following in Leamington, may be added to the March 27 show.

Such are the highs and lows of pro boxing. Scott is learning pretty early in his promotional career that it can be a frustrating and nerve-wracking business.