Cheavon Clarke’s English title eliminator is off after his opponent was forced into retirement - but he’s still got a fight.

Gravesend cruiserweight Clarke (4-0) was set to face Dec Spelman on Saturday night but the former light heavyweight English champion is no longer allowed to box after failing a brain scan.

It’s devastating news for Spelman, who announced the news on instagram, writing: “My career as a professional boxer is finished…I am no longer allowed to continue my journey.

"It's a hard knock to take as I've done everything I could to see if there is anything I can do but it's just not possible."

Former Olympian Clarke has been training hard for his first fight of 2023, hoping for a win in the final eliminator contest at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.

He’ll now face late replacement Israel Duffus (20-8).

The winner of the eliminator between Clarke and Spelman was due to compete for the English cruiserweight title later this year.

Clarke’s professional record stands at 4-0 (4 KOs) - with his last fight in November a stunning second-round knockout of Jose Gregorio Ulrich at Wembley Arena.

Clarke stopped the Argentinian boxer (17-6) with a devastating uppercut.

The Kent boxer's weekend fight is on the undercard of the pay-per-view event between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara.