Tony Bellew will face Ivica Bacurin at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, live on Sky Sports 1 on Friday, after original opponent Lubos Suda was forced to withdraw from the bout.
The 32-year-old was scheduled to meet hard-hitting Czech fighter Suda who boasts 25 knockouts from 33 wins.
But Bellew, who beat bitter rival Nathan Cleverly last November, will now face Croat Bacurin as he continues his quest to land a title shot against IBF champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez.
Bacurin, 32, has more ring experience than Bellew, having been involved in 30 bouts during his seven-year professional career.
He travels to Liverpool on the back of four consecutive knockout wins and has previously shared a ring with some high-calibre fighters including Detroit heavyweight Jonathon Banks.
At the end of last year, Bacurin went the distance with Germany’s Francesco Pianeta, who challenges Russlan Chagaev for the WBA heavyweight title next month.
Bellew’s fight with Bacurin is part of an action-packed card featuring Callum Smith v Christopher Rebrasse, Rocky Fielding v Brian Vera and Martin Murray v George Beroshvili.
Catch all the action live on Sky Sports 1 on Friday night from 1930 BST.