Briton Josh Padley will fight WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson on Saturday in Saudi Arabia after Floyd Schofield Jr was forced to withdraw.
Schofield Jr was removed from the world title fight after being hospitalised on Tuesday.
Stevenson, 27, faces fellow undefeated fighter Padley, who is unbeaten in 15 bouts.
The Yorkshireman competes in his first world championship contest on just a few days’ notice.
Stevenson, unbeaten in 22 bouts, represents a huge step up for Padley, whose last victory came over domestic rival Mark Chamberlain last September.
American fighter Stevenson is defending his belt for the second time having won the title in 2023.
Schofield Jr’s father posted a picture of his son in a hospital bed on Wednesday and denied he was “ducking” the fight, but did not give any further details.
The American, 22, did not appear at the grand arrivals on Tuesday in Riyadh and news of his withdrawal emerged soon after.
“As a parent I am overwhelmed. People can be cruel and evil. The comeback will be major. No-one ducks a fight with Mr Pillow Hands,” Schofield Jr’s father said on Instagram.
A statement from Schofield Jr’s promoters Golden Boy said the fighter “fell ill” but had now been released from hospital and was awaiting “results of his medical evaluation”.
The British Boxing Board of Control, who are overseeing the Riyadh fight night, made the decision to cancel Schofield Jr’s bout.
