Bradley Rea will no longer be fighting in Riyadh on February 22 after Constantino Nanga suffers injury

A disappointed Bradey Rea took to social media this morning to explain the reason why he will not be fighting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 22. 

Light heavyweight Rea, 20-1 (10), was originally meant to box Sweden’s Constantino Nanga as part of the undercard for the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, but that, sadly, will no longer be the case due to an injury picked up by Nanga in training. 

“Sick to my stomach writing this one out,” said Rea, “but unfortunately my fight on 22nd February in Saudi is off due to an injury to my opponent and unfortunately it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting a replacement or being kept on the card. 

“After a brutal six weeks of training it’s heartbreaking being so close to the fight and it not going ahead after all the effort, time and money wasted during camp.

“I finally thought my luck had changed getting this call but it unfortunately wasn’t meant to be this time. Straight back into the gym on Monday and back to work preparing for the next opportunity that comes my way, whatever that might be. Hopefully Turki Alalshikh can get this fight matched up again in the future between me and Constantino Nanga as it was one me and lots of fans were looking forward to.”

If nothing else, Rea’s honesty in the aftermath of this disappointment is a reminder that not everybody involved in Riyadh Season will be set for life. Sometimes life itself has other ideas.