BUREAUCRATIC red tape has seen a last minute change of opponent for Kelly Morgan’s WBC Silver middleweight title fight.

The 2002 Commonwealth Games javelin bronze medallist was due to face Ghana’s Gifty Ankrah for the vacant belt at Grange Drive Leisure Centre next Friday.

However, despite constant communication with Ankrah’s team, a visa was still not in place for the 34-year-old to come over.

With the show now just eight days away, promoters Neilson Boxing and Morgan’s trainer and manager Richard Farnan have moved swiftly to find a replacement that the WBC will sanction for the title.

Morgan, who has won all three of her professional fights to date, will face Germany’s Lisa Cielas, who has had as many bouts as the adopted Swindonian, and will head to the UK on the back of a second round stoppage success over Sharon Ladwig last September.

“We have been in contact with Gifty and she is up for the fight, but bureaucratic red tape has meant that she still hasn’t got her visa,” Neilson Boxing’s Mark Neilson told the Advertiser.

“It has taken so long to sort, there is an appointment for Gifty to try and obtain her visa on Tuesday, but we can’t risk that.

“We have been working behind the scenes and the WBC have agreed to sanction Lisa Cielas to fight for the vacant WBC Silver female championship next week.”

With both boxers only three fight novices, the Silver title will now be fought over eight two-minute rounds instead of 10.

“That is testament to the relationship that they (Farnan and Morgan) have built up with the WBC that they have managed to get this sorted,” added Neilson.

Meanwhile, Paddy Fitzpatrick’s unbeaten cruiserweight Luke Watkins has been added to the bill next Friday.

The Duke, who has won all seven of his professional bouts to date, will be in a six round contest with an as yet unnamed opponent.