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Three-division boxing world title winner Danny Green has been forced out of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race for a second straight year.
Green, who was due to sail aboard celebrity-studded supermaxi Investec LOYAL, pulled out on Friday after receiving medical advice.
A press release issued on Friday said Green underwent a medical procedure following his loss to Poland’s cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Perth last month.
“I am gutted that I will miss this year’s race as I truly enjoyed and treasure my previous experiences with the Investec LOYAL team and wanted very much to take my place on the team,” Green said in the statement.
“As much as I want to race, I also don’t want to let the team down and potentially be a passenger, so I will take my place in the team in a later campaign.”
His management said he hadn’t undergone surgery following last month’s fight, though he had some stitches inserted in his mouth after the fight.
Green, who did sail aboard Investec LOYAL in 2009, pulled out of last year’s race after his recovery from knee surgery was slower than anticipated.
“Danny had a procedure done after his fight and he left it till this week to try and get a clearance from his medical advisers that he was OK to sail,” Investec LOYAL owner and skipper Anthony Bell told AAP on Friday.
“They recommended against it, that he hadn’t completely recovered and so he pulled out today.”
Bell said he would not draft in a replacement for Green.
“It’s too late to train up someone, we’re going with the crew that we’ve got,” Bell said.
Second across the line last year to rival supermaxi Wild Oats XI, Bell’s boat is again considered the major threat to the five-times line honours winner.
Despite losing Green, Investec LOYAL still has plenty of celebrities aboard.
TV personality Karl Stefanovic will be making his Sydney to Hobart debut along with wheelchair racing champion Kurt Fearnley, while former Wallabies Phil Waugh and Phil Kearns will each be making their third successive trip aboard the boat.