Dave Allen admits he is 'devastated' after being denied a possible British heavyweight title fight against Dillian Whyte.
The unbeaten Yorkshireman had already begun training for an expected domestic showdown with Whyte this summer, but the British Boxing Board of Control have ruled that Sam Sexton would instead be next in line for a shot at the Lonsdale belt.
Hughie Fury initially withdrew from a British title fight against Whyte due to health issues and Allen was put forward as a possible replacement, with Sheffield United's Bramall Lane thought to be a potential venue.
But the 31-year-old Sexton, with 22 wins and three defeats, has been selected by the board as a more suitable contender than Allen, who has nine wins and one draw.
"Yeah, I'm devastated to be honest," Allen told Sky Sports. "I'm in the gym now and I can't really be bothered to be honest, but the show must go on.
"Sam Sexton is more of a proven entity than myself, but I see that as a bad thing - he's been beat two times for the British title already.
"I bring something different to the table. Me and Dillian both are more outspoken characters. For boxing fans - even though Sam Sexton is more proven - they want to see something different.
"It's a shame but good luck to them both. I still see myself winning that British title at some time this year."
Sexton has previously been stopped twice in British title fights, firstly being halted by Dereck Chisora before a knockout defeat to David Price.
Allen expects the Norfolk man to fall short again and will work towards a shot at the winner.
"It's the British title, it's not Dillian Whyte, it's the Lonsdale belt," he said. "I don't see Sexton beating Whyte, but if he does, Sexton is the man I want.
"It's the Lonsdale belt that I want. It's not the disappointment about not getting the Whyte fight, it's the disappointment about not fighting for the Lonsdale belt."
The 24-year-old Doncaster man remains determined to prove himself in a fiercely competitive domestic division and would even be willing to share the ring with David Price, another British rival, at short notice.
Allen said: "If the phone rings at any time for any opponent, it's always something I would consider. Price on June 25, would I consider it? Absolutely yeah, any fight at any time. That's the fighter that I am."
Robert Smith, General Secretary of the BBBofC, told Sky Sports: "Dave Allen was asked for, but we don't believe he has done enough to justify it, just at the present time.
"We put out the English Championship for Allen and Sexton again today, but if we have any other proposals for a fight with Whyte and Sexton we'll consider it.
"If they put forward a proposal we'll consider it. At the moment we haven't received one."