One opponent KO'd but another in Cameron's sights

SHANE Cameron is on the hunt for a new opponent for his April 24 fight in Wellington after Australian Michael Kirby was forced to pull out of the bout on Friday.

According to Cameron's manager Ken Reinsfield, Kirby suffered an eye injury during sparring which has left him with impaired vision.

The Aussie heavyweight has withdrawn, leaving Cameron without an opponent just two weeks out from his first scheduled rumble at home since last October's loss to David Tua in Hamilton.

But Reinsfield is confident Cameron will still get in the ring and yesterday was working the phone to find a new opponent. At the top of his hit-list is American heavyweight Israel "King Kong" Garcia, a sparring partner of Tua who, after winning on the undercard of Tua's recent fight with Friday Ahunanya, called Cameron out on national TV.

Reinsfield has already contacted Garcia's management and is confident the New York-based fighter will take the bait.

"Kirby got thumbed in the eye during sparring this week and he's partially lost his sight in it," Reinsfield told Sunday News.

"But the upside is that Israel Garcia has been calling Shane Cameron out and this is now his opportunity to front up."

Cameron said he watched Garcia's undercard fight against Aussie Brett Smith.

"I'm disappointed my fight against Kirby has fallen over but that happens," he told Sunday News last night.

"But hopefully Garcia will take our offer for the fight. If he wants to fight I'm more than ready to shut his mouth for him."

- © Fairfax NZ News