Previously planned Callum Smith opponent this weekend Juergen Braehmer of Germany has been forced to pull out at the last-minute due to illness.

The World Boxing Super Series semi-final will still go ahead this weekend however.

The WBSS confirmed a short time ago that Braehmer who was suffering from influenza revealed he could not fight this weekend in Germany.

They have now also confirmed that undefeated Dutch boxer Nieky Holzken. He will ill step in as a last-minute replacement.

Nieky Holzken has a professional record of 13-0-10KO.

Although he will be a relative unknown quantity, he cannot be overlooked by Smith.

An undefeated who doesn’t know how to lose with a big punch is always dangerous.

Just ask Amir Khan a few years back when he fought Columbia-based boxer Breidis Prescott.

The other semi-final in the super-middleweight leg of the World Boxing Super Series took place last weekend.

George Groves booked his place in the final for this coming June be beating Chris Eubank junior by unanimous points decision.

He is awaiting results on a shoulder scan this week to see if he will be fit for the final.

It seems the injury curse in boxing has finally hit the excellent new WBSS format.

They appear to be very prepared for it however and have acted swiftly today.