Chaise Nelson's opponent backs out of title fight

MANSFIELD – Local boxer Chaise Nelson will need to wait at least a little longer to get back in the ring.

The 20-year-old featherweight and 2016 Ontario High School graduate was scheduled to fight Josh Bowles of Harrisburg, Pa., in his hometown Saturday night for the World Boxing Foundation North American regional title.

According to a post on Nelson's Facebook page, Bowles backed out at the last minute, apparently with an undisclosed injury.

It would have been Nelson's first shot at a pro belt. Instead the wait continues.

Nelson is 6-1 with three knockouts, but he hasn't fought since last June. Other fights have fallen through when his opponent has backed out and this past February Nelson was involved in a one-car accident a few days before a scheduled bout in Philadelphia.

Injuries sustained in that accident kept him out of the gym for two weeks, but his training had gone well since his return and he was ready for the 31-year-old Bowles, who is 11-2.

Apparently, Bowles wasn't ready for him.