Ashton “H20” Sylve has withdrawn from his headliner fight against Nicolas Polanco on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta’s College Park because of an illness, his team said in a statement released hours before the main event.
Sylve, 11-1 (9 KOs), was scheduled to return from his first career defeat – and a devastating knockout – against Lucas Bahdi last July. The co-main event setting undefeated featherweight Amado Vargas against Angel Luna in a 10-round bout was bumped up to the card’s featured attraction.
“After careful evaluation with his team and doctors, we made the strategic decision to withdraw from this bout,” read the statement from Team Sylve regarding its fighter.
“H2O had been pushing through feeling unwell all week, giving everything to prepare and show up for the fans. Despite his heart and efforts, the team ultimately made the call to prioritize his health and long-term career.
“Our focus remains on coming back stronger and making a major statement in the near future.”
Vargas, 12-0 (5 KOs), the son of former two-time junior middleweight titleholder Fernando Vargas, will try to rebound from a mediocre split decision win over Eduardo Hernandez Trejo last month against Luna, 20-15-1 (11 KOs).
