A SHOCKED Billy Dib's US dreams are in limbo again after would-be challenger Luis Franco withdrew from their IBF featherweight title bout due on March 1.
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Promoter 50 Cents informed the Dib camp of Franco's decision not to fight just days ago.
Now the US rapper is searching for a top-15 ranked fighter to take the place of Franco, who was Dib's mandatory challenger.
"I don't know what to say," Dib's brother and manager Emaid said.
"Two nights ago 50 rang and said it was looking like Franco was pulling out and he was searching for a new opponent.
"50 is saying we are still on the card, we are just looking for an opponent."
The fight was much bigger for Dib than just defending his world title for the third time.
It represented his long-awaited return to the US market he has long craved to crack since losing a WBO featherweight world title bout to Steve Luevano in 2008.
Dib is still expected to headline ESPN's Friday night fight card, in what is 50 Cents' first official boxing promotion.
"We are speaking to two opponents ranked in the top 15," Emaid said.
"It's going to make it difficult but we are confident they can do it.
"I've just told Billy to keep training, he was upbeat about it."
The latest setback joins a long list of roadblocks for Dib as he searches for his first bout since a non-title fight in July.
He was set to fight on the undercard of the blockbuster Miguel Cotto/Austin Trout fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York in December before a rift between 50 Cent and Golden Boy Promotions scuttled it.
Dib's other mandatory, Mauricio Javier Munoz, who beat Franco last October, pulled out of a title shot with a mystery illness. Dib hopes to confirm an opponent this week.
