In a somewhat bittersweet victory, Haskins’ opponent Randy Caballero failed to make the weight for the bout in the Nevada desert, coming in a full 5.5lbs over the bantamweight limit.

With the undefeated American boxer actually weighing in two weight divisions higher than needed, there was no way the fight could go ahead.

Caballero has been stripped of his title, and Haskins’ team refused the offer of a risky “catchweight” fight knowing their man was already the new champ.

Haskins’ Vegas chance came after his impressive sixth-round stoppage of Japanese fight Ryosuke Iwasa in Bristol back in June, which made him interim IBF Bantamweight World champion.

Haskins told Made In Bristol TV: “I’m devastated for all my family and friends and the people back in England who aren’t going to see me perform.

“I worked so hard to get this opportunity to become World champion – and now I’m going to be given the belt.

“Five-and-a-half pounds over is a long way over in the boxing industry. We’ve invested a lot of money coming out here and they could have saved us a lot of problems if they knew they weren’t going to make the weight.

“It is what it is; thanks to everyone for their support. I am the World champion now and hopefully we’ll get a defence in the UK soon.”