Dillian Whyte has been warned he will struggle to beat Tyson Fury in any world-title bid next year.
The 'Body Snatcher' is currently in pole position to face Fury after the 'Gypsy King' scored a second consecutive victory over Deontay Wilder.
But he has been forced to withdraw from his next bout with Otto Wallin this week after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp.
And popular domestic heavyweight Dave Allen believes that Whyte will secure his long-awaited attempt at becoming champion despite the withdrawal, but is unlikely to dethrone the current king.
He told talkSPORT : “I think the question a lot of people are asking is, ‘Will he get a world title shot?’ I think that’s closer now than ever now that the Wallin fight is off, it’s a must, it’s a definite and it will happen.
“Can he win it? I personally don’t think he beats Tyson Fury, so if that’s who he must beat to win the wold title then the answer to your question would be no.
“I hope he gets his shot, I wish him all the best with it, but I just think he is coming up against Tyson Fury who, in my eyes, is the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis.
“That’s unfortunate for him, but I’m sure he will fancy the job as will his team, as will his supporters. So it will be an interesting fight and a massive one for Great Britain. It’s not quite Fury vs Joshua, but it is pretty big.”
Fury has been more frequently linked with a hotly-anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua.
But that has been shelved for the time being with 'AJ' forced to focus on a redemption mission against Oleksandr Usyk.
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In the meantime, Whyte will now wait for a WBC ruling to see if he will be enforced as challenger for Fury upon his return to the ring.
Although Fury has met previous retirement links by dropping a fresh hint over hanging up his gloves which could derail any bid.
However despite links to Whyte and Joshua, Fury has labelled WBO mandatory challenger Joe Joyce as his biggest domestic challenge.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports : "Tyson said that he’s the best one out there. That’s what Tyson’s opinion was. Can he go all the way? Yes he can. He’s got a good ticker, a big heart. He’s strong, he walks forwards, he is the ‘Juggernaut.'
"Whoever he’s in there with, you know they will have a problem getting rid of him. He’s a tough guy. He can fight a bit. He can punch."
Another mandatory challenge from WBA contender Robert Helenius could also dent any pursuit from Fury for the undisputed crown.
But with a queue of challengers waiting for Fury after the conclusion of his rivalry with Wilder, his father John believes Oleksandr Usyk should be the only option considered.
“In my idea, it’s Oleksandr Usyk next, or nothing,” John Fury told talkSPORT. “I wouldn’t bother with the rest of them, they’re not in Tyson’s class. Would Dillian Whyte deal with Deontay Wilder? No.
“So why put him in with my son and get him knocked out?”
