Sporting Digest: Boxing

Fernando Ibarra, of Texas, remained in a critical condition last night after sustaining brain injuries during his junior flyweight bout with Ratanachai Vorapin of Thailand last Friday. Ibarra fell hard to the canvas after taking a punch to the jaw. The referee stopped the contest and Ibarra walked back to the dressing- room before losing consciousness.

Jon Jo Irwin will defend his British featherweight title against Alex Moon at Newcastle's Telewest Arena on 13 February.

The World Boxing Council middleweight champion, Hassini Cherifi, who was to defend his title Saturday night in a rematch against Keith Holmes, has withdrawn from the bout after suffering a back injury in his final sparring session in France.