SCOTT WELCH'S European heavyweight title fight against Germany's Axel Schultz has been scrapped for the THIRD time.

The pair were due to meet in Leipzig on Saturday week. But Shoreham boxer Welch has pulled out after cracking a rib in sparring at the Dublin gym of his new trainer Steve Collins.

The injury will keep the 30-year-old out of the ring for two months.

The first date for the showdown, in Dortmund on February 28, was postponed when Welch strained his lower back in training.

The fight was rescheduled for Leipzig on May 30, only for Schultz to drop out after splitting a bone in his right thumb.

Promoters now want the European Boxing Union to allow German champion Mario Schiesser to replace Welch.

Former British champion Welch has fought only twice since his emphatic points defeat by ex-WBO world title holder Henry Akinwande in Nashville 19 months ago.

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