A virus has forced former IBF junior welterweight boxing world champion Lovemore Ndou to pull out of his fight against Rivan Cessaire in Melbourne on Friday night.

Ndou said he felt unwell around 2am on Friday and suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

He said he checked into a hospital between 7am and 8am and was placed on a drip due to being dehydrated.

A blood test revealed the virus and Ndou said he was given two types of medication.

He was told it would take 24 to 48 hours for him to recover and pulled out of the bout after receiving medical advice.