Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has called off his title defense against Paul Williams on Dec. 5 because of an infected left hand.

The bout had been scheduled for Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and Pavlik was expected to begin training this week.
The staph infection already pushed back the fight once. Pavlik promoter Top Rank said Wednesday the fighter had not fully recovered.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef said that once Pavlik is medically cleared his organization will try to line up another bout.