Kiwi boxer Richie Hadlow has been withdrawn from the Joseph Parker vs Alexander Flores undercard injury, after an MRI scan revealed a brain injury.
The 30-year-old was set make his professional debut against fellow Kiwi Ricky Curline in a six-round lightweight bout at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena, but the fight has been cancelled.
Duco Boxing recently introduced compulsory MRI scans for all fighters on their cards and a test on Hadlow, who contested this year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, uncovered an abnormality in his brain.
"Richie Hadlow won't be able to fight again, until he is medically cleared," Duco boss David Higgins said.
"That was a result of that MRI process and we were told that, otherwise, that issue might not have been picked up.
"We feel for Richie. He is devastated that he can't fight on the card, but he also understands that his safety is paramount.
"The next step for Richie is that he sees a specialist neurologist for a full assessment about what the prognosis looks like going forward."
Higgins said he had only positive responses to the safety move that sees Duco pay for the scans.
"I've had messages from referee and fighters commending us, saying these steps should have been taken a long time ago."
Hadlow finished ninth at the Commonwealth Games and is a three-time national amateur champion in the lightweight division.
He will not be replaced on the card, so Curline also no longer has a fight. The card will now feature eight professional fights and a pre-broadcast corporate bout.
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