MESSED around Cwm-bran world middleweight title contender Gary Lockett, pictured, is still in line for a shot at the WBU title despite his eliminator against Birmingham's Wayne Ellcock being called off a second time.

He was due to fight Ellcock, beaten just once like Lockett, in July but was forced to pull out with a knee injury.

The fight was reschedueld for the Newport Centre next Friday but was again called off when former world champion Ellcock pulled out with a shoulder injury.

Lockett was then told he was set to get a straight crack at the WBU crown, expected to be stripped from holder Eugenio Montero of Portugal, who failed a drugs test after beating Anthony Farnell for the title.

But because the hearing expected to dethrone Montero will not be held before the September 3 date of Lockett's next run-out, he is back to fighting an eliminator for the expected-to-be vacant title, this time against Zimbabwe's Farai Musiiwa - provided Musiiwa is granted a visa to box in Wales.

Before Musiiwa was named as his next opponent, Lockett was told he would be fighting for the Commonwealth crown, only for that plan to be dropped.

"It's all been up in the air to be honest," said Lockett, winner of 29 of his thirty fights, "and my opponent could change yet again before Friday.

"But I'm in superb shape, have put the rounds in in the gym and I am confident whoever they put in front of me.

"Musiiwa is not someone to be taken lightly. He beat (Newport-based) Bradley Pryce last time out and had a good win over previously unbeaten and has had some other surprise wins.

"But I don't think Bradley was firing on all cylinders when he met Musiiwa in Cardiff (in February this year when Locket KO'd Albanian Keshnick Qato in two) as he was fighting above his normal weight (Pryce lost 58-56 on points).

"So I don't see Musiiwa as a problem and anyway I'm confident whoever I go in against. I was excited when the Ellcock fight was called off and I was told I would get a straight crack at the crown. I shouldn't have to wait long."