Danny Green's preparation for his comeback fight is in disarray with his Slovakian opponent Tamas Kovacs forced to withdraw from next week's bout due to a neck injury.
His place will be taken by Argentine slugger Roberto Bolonti.
Green, a four-time world champion, is making a return to the ring next Wednesday night after a three-year hiatus and will now have to change his approach for the match-up at Melbourne's Hisense Arena with the two opponents very different in their style.
Bolonti has a 36-3 record, winning his last fight just last month against Venezuelan Williams Ocando, which was for the WBC Latino light heavyweight belt.
Not wanting to postpone the fight due to television commitments and the undercard, Green's camp scoured the globe for a suitable opponent who could replace Kovacs in the short time.
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The 36-year-old, who has unsuccessfully fought for the light heavyweight world title twice, was fresh after knocking out Ocando in the second round.
Green said it meant a drastic change to his preparations.
"Kovacs was a traditional boxer who stood tall, moved around the ring and boxed from a distance and used his hand speed and skill to win fights," Green said.
"Bolonti is the opposite. He walks straight at you swinging every punch in the book, you don't need to go looking for him because he's right in your face.
"I am gutted that the opponent has been changed at such late notice, but it is out of my control."
Kovacs has a bulging disc in his neck which he hoped to manage through the fight but now requires surgery.
