Cintron backs out of fight against Williams

Welterweight champion Kermit Cintron has backed out of negotiations to defend his International Boxing Federation belt against unbeaten Paul Williams on Feb. 2, Williams’ promoter said today.

Cintron (29-1, 27 knockouts) injured his right hand last Friday in the first round of a title defense against Jesse Feliciano at Staples Center, yet proceeded to win by 10th-round technical knockout.

Cintron fell to the mat in pain after the victory, explaining later that he heard a crack in his right hand during the first round. Cintron’s camp said he suffered “severe ligament damage” that was diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon.

Kathy Duva, chief executive of Cintron’s Main Events promotion company, said the surgeon has “advised Kermit that he should not engage in any boxing matches until March 1.”

Said Cintron: “I’m disappointed that I injured my hand, but I’m going to do whatever the doctor says because I’m eager to get back into the ring and unify the welterweight title.”

“Kermit will take the time necessary to heal his hand,” Duva said. “We will not run the risk of him entering the ring and injuring his hand further.”

Williams’ promoter, Dan Goossen, expressed some skepticism about the extent of the injury that prevents a title bout for the talented Williams, who won by decision over Antonio Margarito in July.

“Usually,” Goossen said, “you overcome these things.

“We’re very disappointed [Cintron] took that [Feliciano] fight in the first place, but we’ll move forward.”

Williams (33-0, 24 KOs) will still fight the main event of a Feb. 2 card that will be televised by HBO and include Riverside heavyweight Chris Arreola and 2004 U.S. Olympian Andre Ward. The unbeaten Arreola is in negotiations to fight veteran heavyweight David Tua and super middleweight Ward (14-0, nine KOs) will fight Allan Green (25-1, 18 KOs), Goossen said. The site has not been finalized.

As for Williams, Goossen said he will inquire about the availability of former world champion Zab Judah and Carlos Quintana (24-1, 19 KOs), who lost to Miguel Cotto in a 2006 bout for the vacant World Boxing Assn. welterweight title.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com