CARL FRAMPTON HAS been forced to withdraw from his first IBF Intercontinental title defence due to injury.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) ruled today that Frampton is not fit to face Everth Briceno on Saturday evening at Wembley Arena.

The fight, which was on the undercard of Dereck Chisora’s clash with Malik Scott, was due to be Frampton’s first since moving to Frank Warren’s stable.

Frampton aggravated an old ear injury in sparring and says he was initially told by a specialist that he was fit to box before the BBBoC intervened to call off the bout.

“I’m upset to have to announce that I have been ruled out of my fight on Saturday by the BBBoC,” the Belfast boxer tweeted this evening.

An old ear injury mildly [reoccurred] in a spar. A specialist initially informed me I was fit to box. Today the BBBoC ruled me out.

I’m so so sorry especially to the people who [were] coming to support me. It’s been an amazing camp and I’m gutted that I wont be able to showcase my improvements in Wembley.

Manager Barry McGuigan was also left “gutted” by the decision while his son Shane, Frampton’s trainer, said that the 26-year-old had made “amazing improvements” recently.

“Unfortunately today Carl Frampton was overruled by the BBBofC that he cannot box this Saturday due to a old ear injury. We were passed fit by another source but today the BBBofC ruled us out.

“We as a team are bitterly disappointed by this decision. We’ve made some amazing improvements this training camp [and] will build on everything for a hopeful world title shot soon! Carl is gutted he can’t fight for his fans!”

There will still be a strong Irish interest in Saturday’s “Behind Enemy Lines” card as Cork’s Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan defends his unbeaten record and WBO International title against Billy Joe Saunders.

Spike O’Sullivan is ‘one horrible b****rd’ in the ring, says trainer