Portman pulls out of title bout

West Bromwich fighter Marcus Portman's first world WBF light-middleweight title defence has been scrapped.

The 27-year-old has pulled out of the rematch with Hungarian Jozsef Matolcsi because of a chest infection.

Portman was due to make his first defence on a Sky-televised show in Peterlee, County Durham, next Friday.

But Matolcsi will now fight another opponent for the right to be the 'interim' world WBF holder, with the winner facing Portman.

Portman must fight the winner within 90 days of the interim bout to keep the belt.

He earned his title on July 20 when he stopped Matolcsi on a cut in the sixth round at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

"It's a shame because he'd been out a long time before that and he was enjoying his training," said Johnson.

Meanwhile Wolverhampton's big night of boxing on October 25 has been boosted by the presence of big-punching Stafford fighter Rob Hunt - and there could now be 10 fights showcased at the city's Civic Hall.

Light-welter Hunt was due to top the bill for the first time at a dinner show at Uttoxeter Racecourse on October 19 along with Telford's Tristan Davies.

But the event has been postponed until early next year due to a couple of minor hitches.

Instead Hunt will appear on the show boasting Darren McDermott, Dean Harrison, Richie Collins, Sam Horton, Conroy McIntosh and Scott Evans, who makes his debut.

The highly-fancied 21-year-old had been due to face Chris Long, but the Wiltshire-based fighter has now been booked to appear on his manager's show on the same date.

Hunt's manager Paul Dykes is now seeking another opponent, with Tom Hogan, Carl Allen and Steffi Bull in the frame for an outing.

The youngster has put together a six-fight unbeaten record and earned a nomination for the Midlands Area Council's Prospect of the Year.