By Terence Dooley

BoxingScene can confirm that Manchester's David Barnes, 25-2-2 (11), is waiting on news of a replacement opponent after Bolton’s Rick Godding, 18-0-1 (3), was forced to withdraw from their March 8th British light-welterweight title eliminator.  Barnes, a former two-time British champion at welterweight and light-welterweight respectively, has remained in the gym and is still scheduled to appear on the show, which takes place at Manchester's Bowler's Arena and is promoted by Dave Coldwell of Coldwell Boxing.

While Barnes is left hanging, Godding may now have to wait in line for even longer if he wants a crack at British champion Frankie Gavin as the Board's Rules and Regulations state that: 'In the event of a Boxer withdrawing from a proposed Final Eliminator the remaining Boxer shall have NO right to a direct challenge for the relevant Championship,’.

It leaves things up in the air.  In the short term, all Barnes can do is beat whoever is in front of him come the 8th.

Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk or Twitter @Terryboxing.