Monday 1 February 2016 18:05, UK
Dereck Chisora will face Kubrat Pulev rather than Anthony Joshua for the European heavyweight title.
Chisora (25-5-KO17) racked up three quick stoppages in almost as many weeks over the festive period and all roads looked to be heading for a showdown with fellow Londoner Joshua (15-0-KO15).
But despite both fighters and camps expressing an interest in making the fight, Joshua will go elsewhere and Chisora will now take on his fellow former world title challenger Pulev (22-1-KO12).
We spoke with Chisora and his team who clearly didn't want the fight so we moved on very quickly.
After the EBU confirmed Chisora v Pulev on their website, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports: "It won't be Dereck next.
"We spoke with Chisora and his team who clearly didn't want the fight so we moved on very quickly - we can't afford to get slowed in getting things down and will announce AJ's next opponent at the end of this week."
Chisora's promoter, Kalle Sauerland, added: "I don't think anyone was ducking anyone. It's professional boxing and it was down to money. Dereck wasn't happy with the terms presented to him and said he wasn't going to do it.
"It could have gone to a purse bid but I guess Eddie and Anthony chose to go a different avenue because we couldn't reach an agreement. They chose to move on and at the end of the day, Dereck has his demands. Anthony gave up the position and Pulev moves in."
Rumours continue that Joshua will be offered an eliminator for Charles Martin's IBF world heavyweight title if Erkan Teper's B-sample drug test returns positive.
The Cameroon-born Carlos Takam (33-2-1-KO25) would be the man facing Joshua, who is due to return to the ring on April 9.
