Stubbs in injury setback

Darren Stubbs

SHAW boxing professional Darren Stubbs is set for a spell on the sidelines after damaging a hand in the build-up to Sunday’s fight for the vacant International Masters light-heavyweight title.

The 38-year-old HGV lorry driver (pictured) was due to tackle Birmingham-based Hamed Jamali over 10, three-minute rounds at the Tara Sports and Leisure Centre.

The show, which also featured Oldhamer Alan Winterbottom, has been scrapped. Tara Gym chief and promoter Jack Doughty hopes to reschedule it in the New Year.

Stubbs (38), who hasn’t fought since the end of the May when he beat Sheffield’s Carl Wild on points to claim the Central Area title, injured tendons during a sparring session and is out for several weeks.

Doughty said: “I was away, but I was told it was a very good six-round spar against a cruiserweight.

“Darren did well, but something wasn’t right afterwards and he ended up spending several hours in accident and emergency at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

“Fortunately, he hasn’t broken anything, but doctors have told him to rest it. It’s a pity, because Darren is a great fellow and a very likeable person. Although he is getting on in years in terms of a boxer, he didn’t walk through the doors of the gym until he was 30, which means he is virtually still fresh.”

Sunday’s showdown against Iranian-born Jamali was expected to be the home favourite’s first fight for almost six months.

The title was vacated by Tony Oakey, who ironically beat Stubbs in the final of the £25,000 Prizefighter knock-out event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, in February.

He beat Sale’s Mark Nilson to win this division almost a year to the day. He clinched an emphatic points victory over 10 pulsating rounds, but later gave up the belt.