Lomu withdrawal verified

Jonah Lomu’s withdrawal from the Fight for Life charity boxing event has been confirmed by organisers.

The rugby superstar, who is on dialysis after his transplanted kidney failed, told the audience at the IRB rugby awards last month that his illness meant he could not fight, although he has not spoken about it since.

The announcement even took organiser Dean Lonergan by surprise – he said he had not had confirmation from Lomu before the speech.

A statement from the event’s promoters yesterday said Lomu would be at a press conference along with several fighters on Monday.

However, he was listed as an ‘‘ambassador’’.

The statement said he would no longer fight ‘‘due to health reasons’’.

Lomu had been training for December’s charity boxing event when he got sick, and there was speculation an intense training regime could have contributed to his illness.

He spent two weeks in hospital after his transplanted kidney failed, and the 36-yearold faces an average wait of three years on the public list for a donation.

About 600 people are on the list.

In late 1995 he was diagnosed with the debilitating kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome.

In 2004, after a long period of dialysis, he received a kidney from ZM radio show host Grant Kereama.

Less than a year later he returned to the rugby field.