VALENTINO Petrescu’s hopes of winning the British light-heavyweight title were dashed by a broken right hand.

Petrescu, who is a member of Westcliff-based Team Suregrip (TSG), was scheduled to fight Jamie Hearn for the crown at the Ultimate Challenge “Resurrection” show in London.

But doctors discovered the injury during the pre-fight medical and would not allow the fighter into the cage at the Troxy in Stepney.

“Valentino’s hand was swollen before the fight but the medical found his hand had a hairline fracture and would not give him his licence to fight,” said TSG boss Dan Burzotta.

“It was very disappointing for Valentino because he had trained really hard for the fight, including spending two weeks training in Holland.”

Petrescu is hoping his hand will have recovered to enable him to fight at the Ultimate Warrior Challenge show at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre on Saturday, March 20.

It is then planned that he will face former boxer Hearn in a re-match to decide the fate of the British light-heavyweight title, possibly in May.

The late discovery of Petrescu’s injury meant there was insufficient time for a replacement fighter to be found for Hearn to fight.

But there was better news for TSG heavyweight Stav “Crazy Bear” Economou at the Ultimate Challenge show.

He defeated Shola Adeniran in the first round of their heavyweight bout to take his record to 11 wins from 12 fights.

Economou punched his opponent and then slammed him before winning with a choke inside the first two minutes of the contest.