LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has withdrawn from his fight on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13, citing a rib injury.
Top Rank President Todd DuBoef confirmed Pavlik’s withdrawal Monday.
Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) was scheduled to meet Brian Vera at Cowboys Stadium in Texas. It was the top undercard bout of the HBO pay-per-view card featuring Pacquiao’s attempt to win a title in his record eighth weight class.
The cancellation is another setback for Pavlik, who lost his WBC and WBO 160-pound titles to Argentina’s Sergio Martinez in April. It was his second loss in four fights.
The Youngstown, Ohio, fighter also postponed two defenses against Paul Williams last year because of a hand infection.
