Paul McCloskey's European title fight, set for this Friday in Paris, is off.

European No.1 light-welterweight title challenger McCloskey was to have boxed Frenchman Souleymane M'Baye for the belt.

M'Baye will now meet another top 10 challenger and the winner will then have to defend against the unbeaten Ulsterman.

McCloskey said: “It's an old hand injury and I wouldn't go into the ring against M'Baye unless I was 100 per cent fit.

“I'm very confident I'll beat him wherever the fight is. I'll have to wait and see if he comes through at the weekend. It's a pity I couldn't fight him now but I just have to be patient.

“I know when I get the chance I'll be European champion and that will open the door to the big time.”

It is understood that McCloskey's chance may well come on Irish soil in September.

World champion Katie Taylor continued her domination of the women's lightweight division when she retained her EU title in Bulgaria.

Taylor was a comfortable 8-1 winner over Bulgarian Denitza Eliseevan and now she is hoping that the IOC will give women's boxing the green light for 2012. The Bray woman will take part in a tournament in Moscow in August at which top IOC members will be there as they prepare to make their decision.

IABA president Dominic O'Rourke said: “We are very hopeful that the IOC will allow the women to take part in London 2012 and that would be great for Katie because she is a fantastic ambassador for Irish boxing.”