BOLTON boxer Jack Cullen's English title fight has been put back a few weeks.

The Little Lever man was due to meet champion Reece Cartwright in the ring next Saturday night at Bolton Whites Hotel with the belt on the line.

But the bout has had to be put back due to injury sustained by the Leeds fighter in training.

The middleweight clash was set to be the top of the bill at the show which also features another rising star from Bolton, Jack Flatley.

Cullen, aged 25 and with a professional record of 15 wins and one defeat, will still be in action next Saturday against an as-yet unknown opponent.

While it will not be for the title, the tall, powerful fighter knows he cannot afford any slip-ups as he must win that one to stay on course for his big shot at the English crown which is now expected to go ahead in May, again at Bolton Whites Hotel.

Cullen, nicknamed Little Lever's Meat Cleaver, is the mandatory opponent for Cartwright.

And when the two meet in May, the 24-year-old Yorkshireman, who has 22 wins and one defeat to his name. will be defending his crown for the first time since beating Tyler Denny in Walsall last September.

Cullen, who has been trained by Bolton's Tommy Battel since he was a teenager, is naturally disappointed with the delay, but it has not affected his focus on his goals, which include winning next weekend and working hard in preparation for the meeting with Cartwright around seven or eight weeks later.

"I was gutted when I heard [about the postponement]," he said.

"I've worked so hard to prepare for this one because it's a massive fight.

"I've sold tickets and my fans wanted to see this fight; but they'll support me against anyone and will still be there in numbers next week, whoever it's against.

"It's one of those things and the fight's still going to happen so nothing's changed really. I've just got to make sure I win that title.

"First though I've got to make sure I win next week because if I don't there'll be no title fight."

Meanwhile, Flatley's preparations are going well for his fight on the same bill next Saturday.

He is also awaiting confirmation of his opponent as he looks to extend his unbeaten record to 15 professional fights.

The Farnworth light-middleweight, who trains at Elite gym in Halliwell, is also working towards the English title this year and is ranked 11th domestically in the division.