Sunderland v Newcastle derby demanded by boxer Lee Mould as he lays down challenge to Basi Razaq

The Sunderland fighter turned up for Fighting Chance’s media conference at the Hilton Hotel to be greeted by trainer Mal Gates.

His coach broke the news that the June 25 bout Mould was in Gateshead to publicise was off before it was even announced.

The 26-year-old was “gutted” to learn that his proposed opponent for the British Challenge belt, fellow Wearsider Trevor Crewe, had damaged his hand in training.

It was the second all-Sunderland shoot-out Mould had seen come and go.

There had been talk was of a mouthwatering Mould v Glenn Foot showdown at the Summer Rumble in July, but that contest did not come to fruition.

Fighting Chance believed they had brought two neighbours together for a fascinating match for their Gateshead Leisure Centre bill, only for injury to spoil the plans.

But Mould was quick to switch his sights to big-hitting Newcastle welterweight Razaq.

The 24-year-old Geordie is not a million miles behind Mould in terms of bouts - he has five wins and a draw from seven outings compared to Mould’s seven victories and a draw in his nine appearances.

Razaq has not been beyond four rounds and may view an eight-rounder with Mould as a step too far.

“I’m fit and ready to go, I just need someone to fight,” said South Shields-trained Mould.

“Why not Basi? He’s on the bill doing six rounds, so why not fight me?

“Before I fought Craig Dixon, he was calling me out on the internet. If he wants it, he can get it.”