Wladimir Klitschko has withdrawn from Saturday’s multi-title fight against Jean-Marc Mormeck due to illness. The bout was rescheduled for March 2012.

The younger Klitschko, holder of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, had a kidney stone removed last week in a clinic in the German town of Dusseldorf where the bout was to take place. His team said he was expected to recover in time to fight.

“Suddenly I felt a violent pain. The most raging one I’ve ever felt. I had a great seven-week preparation, but a 3 millimeter kidney stone put me off my stride. I’m very disappointed,” Klitschko said on Tuesday.

On the same day it was revealed the bout would most probably be held on March 31, 2012.

Klitschko, whose last fight was a one-sided unanimous decision over David Haye in July to take him to 56 career victories with only three defeats, said Mormeck’s intelligence made him a tough opponent when announcing the title defense in October.

Mormeck, who has 36 career wins (22 knockouts) with 4 defeats, is the current WBA international heavyweight champion and multiple-time WBA and WBC cruiserweight champion.