PADDY Fitzpatrick says it is unlikely his fighters will box again in 2016 after the plug was pulled on Saturday’s show at the Oasis Leisure Centre last week.

The Ferndale Road-based trainer was set to be in the corner for unbeaten Swindon welterweight Ryan Martin, rising cruiserweight star Luke Watkins, debutant Harry Webb and undefeated light-heavyweight prospect Sam Smith – who was topping the bill in only his fourth fight.

However, with the Talk Is Cheap show now cancelled with promoters Neilson Boxing citing ‘circumstances beyond our control’, Fitzpatrick will not be trying to find any of his quartet another fight before the new year.

“All of them won’t fight again this year – but the reasons for that happening are very different,” Fitzpatrick told the Advertiser.

“The Boxing Union of Ireland has sanctioned Duke (Watkins) to fight for the Irish cruiserweight title against Ian Tims, so we don’t want another fight now that could put that in jeopardy.

“Sniper (Smith) picked up a couple of injuries in training, including a rib injury from sparring with Duke.

“We felt that he would have been okay to fight on Saturday as we felt that he had more than enough for his opponent (Kiril Psonko).

“Sniper has also just had a little girl, so he’ll have a couple of weeks off to recover and spend some time with his family.

“But I’m gutted for him as this was a fight that was making a little statement – headlining a show in only his fourth professional fight.

“Harry had sold a fantastic amount of tickets. His friends and family had booked trains and hotels as they were coming up from Devon so we felt it was unfair to ask them to do it all again so soon.

“Ryan has been with me just over a month now, but he was straight back in the gym on Friday and we have a bit more time to work together now before he fights again.”