Fernando Vargas was diagnosed with a severe iron deficiency Friday, causing his highly anticipated bout against Ricardo Mayorga on September 8 to be postponed.

Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) is a two-time former world champion and Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) a three-time former world champion.

Their upcoming non-title super middleweight bout had been aptly dubbed "The Brawl" after two highly contentious confrontations between the fighters at press conferences.

Vargas' doctor has ordered him to not participate in the bout and to take the necessary weeks of treatment.

Because the main event has been postponed, the entire card also is off. There was no immediate word as to when the bout'S would be rescheduled.

The fighters spoke Wednesday on a conference call, with Vargas giving no indication anything was wrong. The continuing theme centered around how much the fighters dislike each other, perhaps stemming from their first press conference for the fight July 11 at Staples Center, when punches were thrown and Mayorga bled from a cut under his right eye........