Brain scan rules out Kiwi boxer

Richie Hadlow’s professional boxing debut on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s next fight has been cancelled after an MRI scan revealed a brain injury.

Hadlow, a multiple national champion and 2018 Commonwealth Games representative, will now seek specialist medical advice.

Queenstown-based Hadlow, 30, was set to fight fellow Kiwi Ricky Curline in a six-round lightweight contest in Christchurch on December 15.

The problem was picked up in a check after promoters Duco Boxing introduced compulsory MRI scans for all fighters on their cards in the wake of recent issues in the sport.

‘‘We were hoping everything was fine but unfortunately an issue has been picked up in the brain of one of the undercard fighters and that means that Richie Hadlow won’t be able to fight again until he is medically cleared,’’ Duco boss David Higgins said in Auckland yesterday as Parker trained for his fight with Mexican-american Alexander Flores.

The development is a major blow for Hadlow but vindicates the tough measures adopted by the New Zealand promoters.

‘‘We were told that the issue might not otherwise have been picked up,’’ Higgins said.

‘‘We feel for Richie. He is devastated that he can’t fight on the card but he also understands that his safety is paramount.

‘‘Maximising safety was an obvious step and it would have been nice if no issues had been picked up. But I’m relieved because we were told the issue is serious enough for Richie not to be put in the ring and we could have had a tragedy on our hands.’’