George Groves has withdrawn from this Friday's British super-middleweight title defence against Kenny Anderson with a back injury.
The 23-year-old said that he failed a fitness test after picking up a back injury while sparring, which has ultimately forced him to withdraw.
The news was announced shortly after Groves, who also holds the Commonwealth strap, was named as mandatory challenger for Robert Stieglitz's WBO crown.
"I suffered a back injury sparring with Eamonn O'Kane and haven't trained properly since," Groves tweeted. "I failed a fitness test today and decided to withdraw.
"Every fighter knows when you get injured you don't just give up. You give yourself every chance to recover and fight. I didn't recover.
"I would like to apologise to everyone who made plans for my fight on Friday! I'm gutted and hoping for a quick recovery!"
Undefeated Groves climbed off the canvas to stop Anderson in the sixth round of their clash at the MEN Arena in November 2010.
Michael Penkman
