Conquest and Hibbert KO’d by sickness (From Echo)

Conquest and Hibbert KO’d by sickness

3:23pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in Sport

FRANK Warren’s big fight night at the York Hall on Friday has been hit by illness.

Top-of-the-bill Tony Conquest - who trains at the Belhus Park Boxing Club at South Ockendon - was due to fight Leon Williams for the British Cruiserweight Championship. But Conquest has been forced to pull out after contracting shingles. It’s a bitter blow for the Romford-based fighter.

Williams, 28, will now face Southern Area champ Shane McPhilbin.

And there has been another blow to Friday’s Benthnal Green fight card.

Stetson-wearing “John” Wayne Hibbert from Stanford has been forced to pull out too.

Orsett-born Hibbert said he was heartbroken by the decision not to fight because of illness.

He said: “I had to pull out because I was out of training for five days. I had this infection thing which got onto my chest and bunged me up and I just couldn’t train.

“I’m back in the gym now, but I still feel only 70 or 80 per cent fit.

“I was gutted. It’s hit me in the pocket. I was all bunged up and could not shake it off.

“I’m not the sort of boxer who’s happy just to get in there and fight when I know I’m not fit.

“If you start doing that, it’s like you’re cheating yourself and the people who have paid to watch you. It’s not something I’ll do - but it is frustrating,” said the fighter who celebrated his 27th birthday exactly a month ago.

Hibbert had hoped to be re-matched for the next Frank Warren show on February 10, but now he is aiming to fight again at the end of February.