Matt Macklin has distanced himself from facing British rival Darren Barker.
The pair were supposed to meet for the European title on September 18 in Birmingham.
But Barker pulled out injured, leaving Macklin to pick up the vacant title.
Now Macklin will defend his belt on December 11 in Liverpool at the Echo Arena.
His next fight was announced at the same time the European Boxing Union again called for purse bids for a Macklin-Barker clash.
But the Brummie and his promoter, Frank Warren, now appear to be looking beyond Barker.
"It's a fight that I wanted, and I don't want to rule it out, but there is a chance that it might not happen now," said Macklin.
"I don't know if Darren is waiting for me to a win world title so that he can get a crack at me then, but he's got to do more to earn a chance than just hanging around."
One option for Macklin would be to make his European title defence in Liverpool, vacate, and then hope to get a world title shot in 2011.
Warren added: "I'm in the business of putting on fights for guys who want to fight, and that's why Matt's on my show in Liverpool.
"It's not about Macklin-Barker at the moment. I don't even know if Barker is fit to fight. It's all about Matt Macklin and whether he can win a world title."
