Exclusive Report from Belfast.

From our reporter Richard Eberline on site in Belfast, Ireland.

The exuberant feeling on the streets that is St. Patrick’s Day in Belfast, Northern Ireland has been somewhat dampened today by the sobering news that the scheduled contest between WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe and former IBO titlist Brian Magee is now off. Universum Promotion’s head of operations Klaus Peter Kohl refused to agree that the fight between the two British boxers should be sanctioned by the WBO. The possibility of the Calzaghe-Magee fight being sanctioned by the WBO was conditional on the previously arranged rematch between Calzaghe and mandatory challenger Mario Veit of Universum. Negotiations took place between the aforementioned parties and German television network ZDF. When the network returned with the conclusion that their only available television slot was one that would mean Calzaghe having to defend his title twice in a time period that contravenes WBO policy. With both Kohl and the WBO inflexible to solving the problem, the fight was cancelled.

In theory, promoter Frank Warren is justified in his decision to stop Calzaghe from participating, but that fact does nothing to console the passionate fans here in Belfast who were ready to watch their hometown hero Magee challenge for the world title. Many in the business that I’ve spoken with are saddened at the turn of events but are determined to carry on with the business at hand. I bumped into British super featherweight phenomenon Kevin Mitchell at the tail end of today’s weigh-in at the posh Europa Hotel and the hot prospect was still raring to climb through the ropes tomorrow night even if he didn’t yet know just whom he was to face in the opposite corner. Such is the business of boxing and those who roll with the punches find themselves better able to ride the deadly blow you never see coming and live on to fight another day.

Richard Eberline can be reached at richardeberline@fastmail.fm