Boxing Match Cancelled Due To Backlash And Threats

A celebrity boxing match between rapper DMX and George Zimmerman, the man cleared of shooting dead an unarmed teenager, has been cancelled.

Damon Feldman, who has organised a number of fights between stars, said the bout was called off after it provoked a wave of criticism and led to threats being made against him.

The announcement of the fight was made on what would have been victim Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday.

A "Cancel George Zimmerman's 'Celebrity' Boxing match" Facebook page received 317,000 likes and civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton warned against glorifying Zimmerman.

Trayvon Martin was shot while walking through a gated townhouse community

DMX, real name Earl Simmons, was reportedly selected out of 15,000 applicants after Zimmerman issued a challenge for anyone to step into the ring with him.

"I am going to beat the living **** out him … I am breaking every rule in boxing to make sure I **** him right up," DMX apparently earlier told TMZ when asked about the chance to fight Zimmerman.

The father-of-twelve, who has been arrested in the past for drug and driving offences, reportedly added that he would urinate on Zimmerman's face once the fight was over.

But a spokesman for the rapper said he had never agreed to fight and it would not affect his concert schedule.

The acquittal of Zimmerman sparked protests

Zimmerman said the contest, which was due to last three rounds, would motivate him to get back into shape and raise money for charity.

He was cleared in 2013 of the second-degree degree murder and manslaughter of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida.

The neighbourhood watch volunteer said he opened fire on Martin in self-defence, citing the state's 'stand your ground' law.

This allows someone in fear of their life to use lethal force.

The case sparked a debate about race and self-defence laws and led to protest rallies in cities nationwide.