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Randall Bailey has been forced to withdraw from next Friday's scheduled meeting with Devon Alexander.

The 37-year-old IBF welterweight champion has injured his back in training, much to the anger of Alexander's camp.

Kevin Cunningham, trainer and manager of Alexander, told ESPN: "With this one, it's particularly frustrating because we're dealing with a guy who has been (difficult) through the whole negotiating process.

"He got the money he wanted. We had a date for the fight on Aug. 25 and he said he couldn't be ready and to make it in September and he would be ready. So we pushed our date back.

"He wanted to dictate where the fight was going to be held. He wanted it to be in Las Vegas and refused to fight in St. Louis (Alexander's hometown), so the fight was in Vegas.

"He got the money, the date and the site, and then a week before the fight, he pulled out with this back injury. I don't think the guy is injured, to be honest with you. I just don't think he wasn't ready."

Next Friday's card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will still go ahead, with Ajose Olusegun's WBC interim light-welterweight clash against Lucas Matthysse now forming the main event.

02/09/2012 14:59:31