CHARLIE FLYNN has had to pull out of his second professional fight against Nigerian Ideh Ochuko, which was scheduled for the Thistle Hotel on Friday night.

The Commonwealth Games lightweight gold medallist sustained a back injury in sparring a couple of weeks ago and although Flynn has been able to continue with his preparations on a limited basis, while he has received treatment for the injury, the 21 year-old has decided not to take the gamble.

Having made an impressive professional debut at the same venue on December 16 in front of a capacity crowd, Flynn admitted he is disappointed at not being able to get the opportunity for a reprise.

"My back has been a problem and it's not been 100 per cent for a couple of weeks. I did it in sparring and although I've had physio it is a sciatic problem and it has meant that training has been on and off for a while and anything but ideal," said Flynn.

He continued: "Although I have managed to do some training it has continued to niggle away and eventually we had to make a call on it and the sensible thing was not to risk it in the fight.

"I'm gutted though because the atmosphere at the Thistle Hotel was fantastic in December and I have been really looking forward to going again.

"I was really up for the fight with (Ideh) Ochuko as unlike (Ibrar) Riyaz in my first bout he comes to have a go.

"But when you have a game boy like that in the ring opposite you and you aren't fully fit then you can't be taking any chances.

"So I'm really sorry I won't make Friday but the priority has to be to get fully fit and make sure I'm ready to go again as soon as possible."

Flynn will now focus on returning to full fitness in time to make his first appearances as a professional under the SKY TV cameras at the Metro Radio Arena, in Newcastle on April 4.

He said: "Obviously I have the big Geordie Roar show on in April and I don't want to jeopardise that.

"It will be my first time as a pro on a big Sky bill and I really want to make that. But right now I just need to make sure that the back issue is sorted"

However Friday night's show will still feature Flynn's Commonwealth games team mate Joe Ham, the unbeaten Michael Roberts and former Scottish featherweight champion Jon Slowey, with a total of five fights being featured on the Morrison Promotions Card.

Tickets are available on Tickets available from Morrison Promotions, on 0141 554 77770141 554 7777/0000.