Next weekend’s MF Pro bill has faced a last-minute alteration.
The undercard of a fight like Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder is one that most fighters could only dream of debuting on.
With Chisora expected to be making his final professional appearance, the viewership for a fighter at the opposite end of their career would be enormous.
That’s exactly what Olympic bronze medallist Abner Teixeira was hoping his professional debut would bring, after a fruitful amateur career.
But according to Teixeira’s manager, Sal Jobe, that dream has now been shattered.
Why can’t Abner Teixeira fight on the undercard?
Teixeira was gearing up to face a previously undisclosed opponent on April 4 at The O2 in London.
But his request to compete on the card was denied by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), as overseas boxers are not allowed to make their professional debut in the UK.
Jobe explained to talkSPORT: “The issue wasn’t with the calibre of the opponent.
“Dan Garber has fought some really good lads and would have been a decent opponent for a debut.
“The Board has said that Abner has to fight in his home country of Brazil first before boxing over here.
“So he’s going to fight in Brazil, probably around the same date.
“He will get that out of the way, and then he is going to have a quick turnaround on a Misfits card.
“It’s a real shame this has happened the way it has because it was a massive opportunity for Abner to introduce himself to the British fans.
“He’s a big star in Brazil, and as soon as he was announced to be on the card, we received so many messages and emails of congratulations.
“He was fuming when he heard, as he should be, because he is someone who genuinely trains six days a week.
“He’s been doing that consistently, non-stop for over a year, preparing for his debut.
“And then he finally gets a date, so he can hone in on specifics. But just before flying out on Monday, he’s told he is not on the card.
“He’s even gone on a press tour in Brazil, where everyone is really excited to see their Olympic hero get his debut. But here we are.”
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