Kirkland Hurt, So Cotto v Kirkland Fight CANCELLED

Injuries happen, no surprise this being the fight game. But injuries so close to fight night, they are fairly rare. And to have a fight scrapped, and the whole card to go up in flames, that's not an every day, or every month occurrence. The lightning struck on Thursday, though, with word that James Kirkland's busted nose would make him unable to compete against Miguel Cotto Feb. 25. Not sure if they looked into a replacement, but that busted beak led to Roc Nation pulling the plug on the whole schmear.

This being boxing, cynics will whisper that this injury is a blessing in disguise, as the promotion was slated to lose money, if tix sales and PPV sales didn't measure up. Me, I will take the event planners at their word.

No word yet on if they try to reschedule, or what. Here is the release which went out:

FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO VS. JAMES KIRKLAND SHOWDOWN CANCELLED DUE TO INJURY

NEW YORK, NY (February 2, 2017) – Roc Nation Sports today received notification from James Kirkland’s team that Kirkland has suffered an injury which will force him to withdraw from his match against Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The reported injury is a fractured nose. Unfortunately, the entire HBO Pay-Per-View show at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas is cancelled.

For customers who purchased through Ticketmaster via phone, online or mobile channels, you will receive a credit to the method of payment used. If you purchased in person at Ford Center or AT&T Stadium ticket office, bring the tickets and method of payment used at time of purchase to the AT&T Stadium North Ticket Office, located adjacent to Entry A, to receive your refund. If you purchased tickets from any other source, you will need to contact that point of purchase for your refund.

For more information, please visit www.throneboxing.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation and Instagram @rocnationsports and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.