Thomas Tate and Antonio Mesquita have withdrawn from their respective fights with Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, on 14 December.

Former IBF world-title challenger Tocker Pudwill of North Dakota will now face Calzaghe and Joe Hutchinson from Indianapolis will line up against Hatton.

Tate burst a eardrum in a sparring session, an injury he suffered in his last fight against Sven Ottke, and is denied the chance to challenge for Calzaghe's WBO Super Middleweight crown.

Tate suffered a burst eardrum in sparring

The Mesquita fight fell apart because of contractual problems, but Hutchinson looks a suitable opponent for the Hitman in the eighth defence of his WBU World Light-Welterweight title.

He has won all six of his fights this year and has also gone the distance with Arturo Gatti and Hector 'Macho' Camacho.

Hatton said: "At the end of the day you have to remain professional and realise that things like this happen.

I have every incentive to do a job on him Joe Calzaghe

"Hutchinson looks a dangerous challenger and it will be a feather in my cap if I can do it early."

Calzaghe had hoped to finish the well-respected Tate in style to improve his chances of landing a 'superfight' next summer, but he, too, was philosophical about the news.

"I have to stay focused and prepare for Pudwill. He has challenged Sven Ottke for the IBF title and the German couldn't stop him.

"I have every incentive to do a job on him and remain on course for a showdown with Bernard Hopkins next year."