The American, 22, did not appear at the grand arrivals on Tuesday in Riyadh and news of his withdrawal emerged soon after.

Schofield Jr’s father posted a picture of his son in a hospital bed and denied he was “ducking” the fight, but did not give any further details.

“As a parent I am overwhelmed. People can be cruel and evil. The comeback will be major. No-one ducks a fight with Mr Pillow Hands,” he said on Instagram.

Stevenson, 27, says he is in talks to remain on the card, with Briton Josh Padley among those reportedly being considered to step in at short notice.

“I’m going to catch you all Saturday,” Stevenson said on X. “I still got a job to do, [I don’t] got time for the trolls, I’m locked in.”

Stevenson is undefeated in 22 bouts and was due to face Welshman Joe Cordina last October in Riyadh before a hand injury forced him out of the bout.

The fight with Cordina was not rebooked, while Yorkshireman Padley is unbeaten in 15 fights and pulled off a big upset in his last contest when he convincingly defeated Mark Chamberlain last September.

Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol 2 – WBA, WBO, IBF & WBC light-heavyweight world titles (23:00 GMT)