MARTIN Ward has been forced to pull out of next month's 'Summer Rumble 2' show at the Stadium of Light.

County Durham bantamweight Ward was due to fight Liverpool's Mike Robinson for the vacant English title as the headline attraction on July 15.

However, he has sustained a hand injury in training and is unable to take to the ring.

Promoter Phil Jeffries has moved quickly to secure a replacement, and the bill will now be topped by former world title challenger Jason Booth's super-bantamweight clash with Ireland's Willie 'Big Bang' Casey for the WBO inter-continental and WBA European belts.

Jeffries said: "I'm devastated for Martin Ward who was supposed to box for the English bantamweight title. He's hurt his hand in training and there's nothing we can do about it. I'm hoping to get that fight rearranged for September.

"The headline fight we've now got has all the makings of a classic though and is a top-class replacement. Jason Booth is a lovely little boxer who is known in the game for his great technical ability, whereas Casey is a come-forward fighter and a real puncher.

"It's a great clash of styles, and a real privilege to be putting it on in Sunderland for the North-East fans."

Sunderland's Glenn Foot has also been added to the undercard as he looks to extend his six-fight unbeaten record having been out of the ring since last October.

Meanwhile, former Olympian Bradley Saunders will fight on the undercard of David Haye's controversial heavyweight clash with Derek Chisora at Upton Park on July 14.

Saunders, who has won both of his professional fights since leaving the amateur ranks in February, will fight in front of more than 40,000 spectators against an opponent that will be confirmed in due course.