New opponent for Magee

Brian Magee has change of opponent in IBO title defence

Belfast boxer Brian Magee will have a new opponent when he defends his lightly regarded IBO super-middleweight title in Manchester on Saturday night.

Magee was to fight New York-based Jamaican Richard Grant in Altrincham, but he will now trade punches with American Jose Spearman.

Grant withdrew last week because of passport problems and the 33-year-old Spearman from Colombus in Ohio stepped in.

Spearman has a record of 17 wins, four defeats and two draws.

The American has fought some experienced fighters including James Butler, James Crawford and top world-rated Dane Mads Larsen.

Magee retained his IBO super-middleweight title with a seventh round stoppage win over South Africa's Mpush Makambi in June.

The Belfastman claimed the IBO title with a first round knockout of Argentine Ramon Britez last December.