Carlisle bare-knuckle boxing champion Danny Christie's big fight in Newcastle is off.

The Currock fighter had been due to take on north east opponent Jamie Jones in April.

It was scheduled to be the main event as part of The Straightener Show at Newcastle's Walker Dome.

But Christie says he has been told to pull out of the fight by the BKFC.

The contest with Jones was not under the BKFC banner and Christie says his BKFC contract means he can only fight under their promotion.

Instead, the Cumbrian says he will defend his British light-heavyweight title on the same day, April 6, in a BKFC show at Milton Keynes.

"The BKFC have intervened and, in a nutshell, the latest contract I've signed is different to the latest one I've signed," he said.

"We didn't quit read the small print. These things happen.

"After a conversation with Mr Feldman [David Feldman, BKFC president] I have been made aware that I am exclusive to the BKFC.

"I'm fighting on the same date for the BKFC. They've got a show in Milton Keynes. I'm defending my UK title against the opponent I wanted."

Christie said details of the opponent and the event will be confirmed after contracts are signed and the BKFC have announced the details.

The Carlisle boxer said he apologised to Jamie Jones and the Straightener organisers for pulling out of the fight.

"This is out of my hands - the BKFC have got a fight for me on the same day, and they pay me a lot more money, so it's a no-brainer," added Christie on his YouTube channel.

The fight in April will be Christie's first since he suffered his first BKFC defeat at the hands of American boxer Jared Warren in November at Leeds.

Previously, he had chalked up three impressive victories over Terry Brazier, Darren Godfrey and Anthony Holmes to win the UK title.

The fight in April will be his second on a five-fight BKFC deal he signed last year.