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Well, it was only a matter of time, really. Frank Warren's massive "Magnificent Seven" show set for September 18 in Birmingham, England, has lost two key fights in the last two days.
Yesterday, Darren Barker pulled out with a hip injury. Barker was set to face Matthew Macklin for the European and British middleweight titles in one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the show. The two are considered the clear top middleweights in the United Kingdom, and their fight has been about a year in the making. It will have to wait once more.
Today, Terence Dooley reported at BoxingScene.com that European junior middleweight titlist Ryan Rhodes has also pulled out of the show with a back injury. Rhodes was set to defend against Lukas Konecny in what promised to be a good action fight.
Here's what remains for the card, which is still attractive but obviously now a bit diminished:
Nathan Cleverly v. Karo Murat
Derek Chisora v. Sam Sexton
Enzo Maccarinelli v. Alexander Frenkel
Kell Brook v. Michael Jennings
James DeGale v. Carl Dilks
Macklin is still going to fight on the show, but a replacement opponent has not been named. Frankie Gavin, Don Broadhurst and Ronnie Heffron are also in action.