The champion is unable to defend his crown at the Royal Albert Hall after suffering an Achilles tendon injury on a training run.

It is the third time that the clash between the injury-plagued British fighter and his American opponent has been called off.

In February Hide withdrew from the bout with a skin allergy, while Norris was uinable to take part last year due to a knee injury.

'Cursed'

"I'm absolutely sick, gutted," Hide said.

Veteran fighter Norris has also suffered fitness problems

"I cannot believe I've had to pull out again. I have once again trained, sparred and spent thousands of pounds on bringing in top class trainers and sparring partners from the US.

"It's the third time I have been cursed by bad luck."

The further delay could cause problems for Hide's future plans, with the Norwich heavyweight due to make another WBO defence against the German-based mandatory challenger Vitali Klitschko in mid-summer.

Injuries have rocked Hide's career for the past four years.

Since losing the WBO title to Riddick Bowe in 1995, ending his first reign as champion, Hide has fought just five times.