David Barnes has withdrawn from his British Welterweight title defence against Gwent's Bradley Pryce, pictured right, on March 4 at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes due to a bout of influenza.
An explosive fight was anticipated as Barnes and Pryce engaged in a heated war of words that has now been put on hold.
Even now, the fiery Welshman has accused Barnes of faking it so that he can hold on to his prized Lonsdale belt.
Pryce stormed: "Barnes is faking it so he can hold on to his belts for a bit longer. This will give him extra time to prepare, but he's only kidding himself because I will take it from him when I knock him out.
"While he is recovering, I am still in the gym and preparing as if the fight is still on. This delay is only increasing my motivation, conditioning and strength everyday and by the time the new date is confirmed I will be super-fit."
Mancunian Barnes hit back by saying: "I'm not going to take the risk by going into the fight with Pryce when I'm unfit. I'm gutted that the fight has had to be put back."
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