EXCLUSIVE

Lee Haskins has been forced to stand Jason Booth up just nine days before their planned Battle of Britain.

Bristolian boxer Haskins was due to put his British super-flyweight title on the line against the veteran Commonwealth champion on Frank Maloney's Sky TV promotion at the Indoor Sports Centre in Leigh, Lancashire, on Friday week.

But all bets are off after Haskins damaged his right wrist while training at Chris Sanigar's Bristol Boys gym in St Agnes.

Sanigar revealed: "Lee hurt himself while hitting the bag and he knew straight away that it was bad.

"He's had his wrist checked out and it's badly bruised.

"It's so disappointing, but there's nothing we can do about it. We were all looking forward to a cracking fight but had no choice but to call it off."

Haskins was booked to make his first defence against the wily Booth in March, only to pull out when he went down with a flu bug.

"Lee isn't having a lot of luck at the moment," added Sanigar, who could steer his protege towards a clash with unbeaten Commonwealth super-flyweight boss Dom Broadhurst.

"We could wait for Lee's wrist to heal and then go back to Booth, or we might look at other options.

"Broadhurst has just been installed as mandatory challenger for Lee's British title by the Boxing Board of Control and he is the most likely next stop for our man."

Haskins has not fought since out-scoring Andy Bell to win the vacant domestic title at Wigan in November last year.

● The National Smelting Company ABC stage their latest show at the Pill Memorial Club tomorrow.

There are 16 bouts and tickets (£10 adults, £5 under-16s) can be booked by calling 07876 233261. Doors open at 7pm and first bell is an hour later.