Jay Emmanuel-Thomas vs Nile Ranger called off over Ranger's high blood pressure
Medics stopped Nile Ranger from fighting Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at A Night to Remember III, so former Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong's bout with ex-Arsenal man Armand Traore now headlines the charity card.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will not box Nile Ranger at Pro Project Promotions' A Night to Remember III after medics ruled Ranger unfit to fight.
The two former footballers, both 35, were due to top the bill at the charity fundraiser. Emmanuel-Thomas came through the Arsenal youth system and Ranger is a former Newcastle striker. Pre-fight tests raised concerns about Ranger's blood pressure, and medics decided he should not be allowed to fight.
Promoter Graham Stack, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, told SunSport that Ranger's blood pressure was too high and was still too high when he was checked again an hour and a half later. Stack said the promotion would take no gambles with fighters who do not hit certain targets and are not fit to fight.
He added: “We have to take their advice because we don’t want anyone getting hurt. We don’t want to put anyone at risk. I have got to look out for the fighter’s safety.” Former Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong's fight with ex-Arsenal man Armand Traore has been promoted to the main event.
Both Emmanuel-Thomas and Ranger had spent weeks getting into shape for the bout. They traded insults at the pre-fight press conference, where both said they could not wait to get in the ring.
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