BURY'S former world champion boxer Scott Quigg has been forced to pull out of his fight in Saudi Arabia next month.

The 31-year-old was set to take on Ireland’s Jono Carroll on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jnr on December 7.

But Quigg has announced that a recurring elbow issue means he will have to wait until 2020 to return to the ring having already withdrawn from a scheduled showdown with Jayson Velez in April due to the same injury.

The news extends his ring absence further, the former WBA super-bantamweight champion having not fought since knocking out Mario Briones in Boston in October 2018

“I am extremely disappointed to announce I will not be fighting on December 7 in Saudi Arabia,” Quigg said in a statement on social media.  

“My arm needs further time to rehabilitate. I’ve followed the rehabilitation programme and everything was looking great.

“I went to the specialist at the start of camp and again four weeks later, everything was looking and feeling good.

“In a sparring session last week I felt a rip in my elbow. I have a recurring injury to my left distal tendon, which is going to need four to six weeks of rest.

“Unfortunately it is going to put me back out until the new year.

“I’m absolutely gutted as I was ready to get back in the ring and lock horns with Jono.

“Hopefully this fight can be rescheduled for next year in the first quarter of the year.

“I’ll be ready to get back in the ring. Thanks for all the continued support.”