Champion Chris Eubank Junior has described Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan’s decision not to fight him for his WBA Interim World middleweight title as “shameful”.

Promoter Frank Warren thought he had a deal with O’Sullivan but negotiations broke down. Eubank Jr, 25, will now make his first defence against Les Sherrington on May 9 at Wembley Arena.

Cork-based O’Sullivan has goaded Eubank for years and the Brighton figher blasted: “I only found out today that he had pulled out.

"For a man who has said the things he has said to now waste his chance of a WBA title shot and to fight me is shameful. It’s pathetic.”

Warren said: “Spike was offered the fight by my matchmaker, they agreed terms but subsequently his manager came back and demanded astronomical money if he were to beat Chris. It just was not viable.”