Ricky Hatton has been left facing a frantic last-minute search to find a new opponent for his next fight at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.
The Mancunian was scheduled to take on big-punching Brazilian Kelson Pinto for the interim WBO light-welterweight title about to be vacated by Zab Judah.
However, Pinto has failed to arrive in Britain amid reports that he has been suffering from flu, although he is also rumoured to have had problems with his management team.
Promoter Frank Warren told BBC Sport Online: "I've been given three different reasons why he hasn't arrived.
"First of all, I was told his wife was having a baby, then it was flu and now he has problems with his management."
With Hatton having won all 34 of his fights and Pinto boasting a perfect 19-0 record, the bout had looked set to be the Briton's most dangerous to date.
WBO president Paco Valcarcel told www.FightNews.com: "I am so sad. It was a great opportunity for Pinto.
"Pinto and Hatton are great fighters. This was an opportunity for both fighters to demonstrate all of their skills to the boxing public."
Warren had earlier dismissed suggestions that Hatton himself had been set to pull out because of an injury.
Following the last-minute postponement of a work-out in front of the media on Monday, speculation had mounted that Hatton was not 100 per cent fit.
But in a statement on his website, Warren insisted: "There is nothing wrong with Ricky and the fight definitely goes ahead."
It now remains to be seen if a suitable opponent can be found for Hatton to still make the 12th defence of his lesser-regarded WBU light-welterweight title.
The Mancunian was scheduled to take on big-punching Brazilian Kelson Pinto for the interim WBO light-welterweight title about to be vacated by Zab Judah.
However, Pinto has failed to arrive in Britain amid reports that he has been suffering from flu, although he is also rumoured to have had problems with his management team.
Promoter Frank Warren told BBC Sport Online: "I've been given three different reasons why he hasn't arrived.
"First of all, I was told his wife was having a baby, then it was flu and now he has problems with his management."
With Hatton having won all 34 of his fights and Pinto boasting a perfect 19-0 record, the bout had looked set to be the Briton's most dangerous to date.
WBO president Paco Valcarcel told www.FightNews.com: "I am so sad. It was a great opportunity for Pinto.
"Pinto and Hatton are great fighters. This was an opportunity for both fighters to demonstrate all of their skills to the boxing public."
Warren had earlier dismissed suggestions that Hatton himself had been set to pull out because of an injury.
Following the last-minute postponement of a work-out in front of the media on Monday, speculation had mounted that Hatton was not 100 per cent fit.
But in a statement on his website, Warren insisted: "There is nothing wrong with Ricky and the fight definitely goes ahead."
It now remains to be seen if a suitable opponent can be found for Hatton to still make the 12th defence of his lesser-regarded WBU light-welterweight title.
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