Hatfield’s WBO world middleweight boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders has postponed his first title defence scheduled for later this month after sustaining an injury.

Saunders has suffered a muscle injury and is now unable to defend his belt against Russian Artur Akavov on October 22 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

Consequently, British super-welterweight champion Liam Williams, who was set to fight on the same bill, has also suffered an injury in sparring that prevents him from defending his crown against Ahmet Patterson.

The entire show has been postponed and will now take place on Saturday, November 26 at the same venue.

Promoter Frank Warren said: “We have no choice but to postpone the card to a month later so everyone is given time to recover.

“I apologise to the fans for any inconvenience this may cause.

“It is extremely frustrating as the event is already essentially sold out and we were all geared up for a cracking night of boxing in Cardiff.”

Tickets purchased for the 22nd October event will still be valid for the new date of 26th November at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.