The boxing match between Vitali Klitschko and American boxer Jameel McCline, scheduled for September 22nd in Munich, has been cancelled, as the Ukrainian boxer has just undergone surgery for a herniated disc.

Last weekend Klitschko suffered an acute herniated disc at his training camp in Going, Austria, necessitating immediate surgery. The emergency surgery was performed late Saturday night at the University Clinic in Innsbruck.

According to the attending physician Prof. Dr. Twerdy, “the operation was a complete success, but obviously Mr. Klitschko will not be able to compete in a match in two weeks. After 4 to 6 weeks of rehabilitation, Vitali Klitschko will be able to start training again.”

Vitali Klitschko: “This is unbelievably bad luck. I’ve been in intense preparations for 9 weeks, had no problems whatsoever, and then a disc goes and slips in my last week of training. I was in prime shape, and was looking forward so much to my match. I feel especially bad for our TV partners RTL and Showtime as well as for my fans who were looking forward to the broadcast or who had bought tickets for the match in Munich.”

Klitschko’s coach Fritz Sdunek said: “Vitali was in such good shape. Many representatives of the press were able to see for themselves at the press training session last week. He was completely relaxed and at the same level he was at when he was champion.

"This is really an incredible blow for Vitali, but he must hang in there now and think positive. I’m sure that we will soon see Vitali in the ring again despite this temporary setback.”

Said Davaryl Williamson, Vitali's chief sparring partner: "Vitali was in great shape when I arrived in the training camp in Austria and he looked to be back to a world class level in sparring."

Vitali Klitschko will be released from the clinic in Innsbruck today and will return to Hamburg.

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