Hopoate pulls out of Cameron fight

Former rugby league international John Hopoate has pulled out of his scheduled heavyweight boxing fight against New Zealander Shane Cameron.

Hopoate will be replaced by another Australian, Michael Kirby, to face Cameron in Melbourne on March 18. It will be Cameron's first fight since he was beaten by David Tua last October in Hamilton. He has since had plates removed from his right hand.

"I guess his heart wasn't big enough, eh," said Cameron told Sunday News of Hopoate's decision to pull out of the March fight.

"He said he was going to take the fight and he called me out a little while ago. He then agreed on the fight but didn't sign the contract. He clearly doesn't want to face me."

- NZPA