George Hillyard s hopes of re-launching his stop-start four-year pro boxing career with a bout on the Hennessy Sports show at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday night, have been dealt a blow. The Canning Town light-middleweight aimed to step up his amb

George Hillyard's hopes of re-launching his stop-start four-year pro boxing career with a bout on the Hennessy Sports show at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday night, have been dealt a blow.

The Canning Town light-middleweight aimed to step up his ambitions and gain revenge in the process by beating Tyan Booth on Saturday's bill.

But the local crowd pleaser, who has only had one fight in the last 18 months, has been forced to withdraw from his bout on the undercard to the Craig Watson v John O'Donnell Commonwealth title clash with the Hennessy Sports event live on ITV4.

Hillyard insisted he is still eager to get back in the ring and start working his way towards title contention, but Newham trainer Johnny Eames, who had been overlooking the fighter's preparations at the Ultrachem TKO Gym, confirmed his decision to call off his contest this week.

"George has had some personal problems and has not been able to train properly, so I took the decision to withdraw him from the show.

"It's a pity, but it would not be fair to let him box less than fully fit," confirmed Eames.

Popular campaigner Hillyard will be missed on the undercard, but the Hennessy Sports York Hall promotion still looks promising.

In the chief supporting bout, Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh clash for the English light-welterweight title, while new heavyweight hope Tyson Fury faces Blackpool's Matthew Ellis.

Bradley Evans, Steve O'Meara and Stephen Haughian also feature on the undercard.

Show tickets are available from the Hennessy Sports Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk