Sam Goodman’s world-title bout against Japanese great Naoya Inoue on Christmas Eve will not go ahead after the Australian boxer was injured during a sparring session.
Goodman sustained a cut above his left eye during his final spar on Saturday morning.
He was due to fly to Tokyo next week ahead of a blockbuster fight against undisputed world champion Inoue in the super-bantamweight division.
Goodman needed four stitches following what he described as “a freak accident”.
The 26-year-old, who is undefeated in his professional career, took to Instagram to explain he would not be travelling to Tokyo.
“I’m absolutely devastated to be doing this, but it is what it is,” Goodman said.
Goodman said he wanted to proceed with the bout but was advised by his support team to withdraw.
“I don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere,” he said.
“I want to fight this guy.”
Goodman said he had devoted the “last 15 years” of his life to earning a shot at a world title.
He has won all 19 of his professional fights, with eight knockouts.
Inoue, 31, holds the WBC, WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight belts.
He is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world on the back of his formidable 28-0 record, which includes 25 wins by knockout.
