Carl Frampton will face Scotland’s Darren Traynor when he returns to the ring for the first time in eight months on BT Sport on Saturday night.
A planned showdown with Vahram Vardanyan fell through after the Armenian encountered visa issues and was denied entry into the country.
But Traynor has now stepped in as Frampton steps up his preparations for a third world title challenge at super featherweight against Jamal Herring later this year.
The two-weight world champion is looking to retain his ring sharpness after a scheduled shot at Herring and the WBO belt was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
And teeing off against Traynor, who has won 16 of 19 pro fights, on the fourth of Frank Warren’s summer series of post-lockdown promotions, is the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker.
The 33-year-old Scot, known as 'Trayn-Wreck', has stepped in to fill the void and will view taking on Frampton as an unexpected opportunity to put his name in lights.
A former Scottish champion, Traynor was undefeated in his first 11 fights before coming up against Ryan Walsh for the British featherweight title when he was stopped in five rounds.
He has previously challenged for the WBA International super featherweight title and was stopped by Frampton's fellow countryman James Tennyson.
Promoter Warren said: "Carl is gunning for a third world title at a third different weight and cannot afford any mishaps on Saturday night.
“Darren Traynor is ready to step in and fully prepared to give Carl the competitive fight he needs before heading into a WBO world championship battle against Jamel Herring, hopefully later this year."
"The complex travel restrictions currently in place made it impossible to guarantee the arrival of Vardanyan.
"It is disappointing for Carl but we couldn't allow any uncertainty to extend into fight week because Carl does not need any distractions ahead of what is an important fight for him."
Also featuring on the card is fellow Belfast boxer Michael Conlan who is taking on former world featherweight title challenger Sofiane Takoucht.
Archie Sharp defends his WBO European super featherweight title against Jeff Ofori and Troy Williamson defends his IBF European super welterweight title.
Top prospects Dennis McCann (bantam) and Paddy Donovan (welter) have their seventh and fourth professional fights respectively.
Coverage of the Frampton fight night starts at 8pm on BT Sport 2 on Saturday night.
