Sunday 18 September 2016 00:15, UK
Chris Eubank Jnr has vacated the British middleweight belt after pulling out of next month's title defence against Tommy Langford due to injury.
The 26-year-old was due to defend his title for a second time against Langford in Cardiff on October 22, but withdrew from the fight after suffering a "severe injury" in sparring.
A statement released on World Boxing News has confirmed that Eubank Jnr will relinquish the belt as he recovers from the long-standing problem.
It read: "Chris Eubank Jnr suffered a severe injury sparring against a 14-stone opponent two days ago. The injury was assessed and confirmed by a Doctor on Friday 16th September, who works with the British Boxing Board of Control."
The statement continued: "The severe injury to Chris Jnr's elbow follows an ongoing injury which has been a recurring issue for the last 18 months.
"This allows Chris Eubank Jnr, and his management, the opportunity to relinquish the title which provides all contenders the right to earn a living and fight amongst their equal calibre of competitors."
This setback for Eubank Jnr comes a few months after he was unable to agree a fight with No 1 middleweight Gennady Golovkin, who instead battled to an exciting fifth-round stoppage win over Kell Brook last Saturday.
Eubank Jr appeared to acknowledge the announcement on Twitter, writing 'gutted', and his father also reiterated the news.
"@ChrisEubankJr's British Middleweight Championship was officially relinquished yesterday due to injury," Chris Eubank tweeted.
