Klitschko pulls out of Mormeck fight

PARIS // The heavyweight world championship fight between holder Wladimir Klitschko and Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck on Saturday was called off today after the Ukrainian underwent surgery to have a kidney stone removed.

"The fight has to be cancelled. We will provide more information at a news conference at 1300 [4pm UAE] in Düsseldorf," Klaus-Peter Dittrich, Klitschko's representative, said in an email to Reuters.

Mormeck's camp were hopeful, however, that the bout would be rescheduled at a later date.

"The December 10 fight in Düsseldorf is off but maybe it will be just postponed," Mormeck's press officer Clara Moreno said by telephone.

The 35-year-old Klitschko, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA versions of the title, was looking to clinch his 50th knockout from 60 professional bouts against former cruiserweight world champion Mormeck.

Klitschko's older brother, Vitali, holds the only other major heavyweight belt after defending his WBC title in September against Pole Tomasz Adamek.

* Reuters