IBF Championships Chairman Lindsay Tucker said that he has received notification in accordance with reports that the lightweight clash between Mexican IBF beltholder Miguel Vazquez and British WBO counterpart Ricky Burns has been moved from March 16 to April 20 at London’s Wembley Arena.

English promoter Frank Warren informed Tucker that Vazquez (33-3, 13 knockouts), 26, is suffering from a viral infection, necessitating the move. Tucker said he will not officially sanction the bout until he receives an official contract from Burns (35-2, 10 KOs).

The London Daily Mail reports that a clash between WBO light heavyweight beltholder Nathan Cleverly (25-0, 12 KOs) and Robin Krasniqi (39-2, 15 KOs), a winner of 38 consecutive bouts, 14 by knockout, will also take place on the Burns-Vazquez card.

But a bout featuring super middleweight George Groves (16-0, 12 KOs) against Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye (22-1, 13 KOs), a winner of nine straight, five by stoppage, will no longer be on the card since Groves has defected from Warren to Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.

Vazquez is coming off December’s unanimous decision over previously unbeaten prospect Mercito Gesta (26-1-1, 14 KOs), a victory that marked his fifth title defense and his 12th straight win during that run.

A technical, mobile boxer, Vazquez entered the Gesta fight following a split-decision win over IBF mandatory challenger Marvin Quintero last September.

Vazquez has not suffered defeat while competing at 135 pounds, his three losses coming by way of decisions at higher weights against unbeaten current WBC junior middleweight titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and WBO welterweight beltholder Tim Bradley.

Vazquez fought Alvarez in his professional debut in January of 2006, and again in June of 2008 while weighing 141 and 148.5, respectively. Vazquez faced Bradley as a 140-pounder in July of 2007.

Burns (35-2, 10 KOs) would be after his 21st consecutive win and his eighth stoppage during that run against Vazquez. The Scottsman is coming off a fourth-round stoppage of world-ranked Kevin Mitchell last September.

Photo by Naoki Fukuda

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]