BOURNEMOUTH fighter Joe Hayes has been laid low by golfer's elbow – despite never having hit a golf ball in his life.

Hayes suffered the first defeat of his professional career when he was on the wrong end of a controversial decision against Bulgarian hitter Mario Petrov in April.

The 34-year-old was so desperate for another crack at Petrov he was on the phone trying to secure a rematch the following day.

But shortly after returning to training Hayes was struck by an "excruciating" pain that has forced him to withdraw from next month's high-profile bill at Bournemouth's O2 Academy.

For context, the durable welterweight boxed with a fractured elbow when he drew with Kevin McCauley back in November 2015.

Hayes told the Daily Echo: "It’s a bit embarrassing isn’t it... I’m a boxer and I’m suffering from golfer’s elbow.

"I had a couple of weeks off after the Petrov fight and when I went back into training everything was alright.

"But one night I woke up in agony. The pain was the worst I've ever felt, it was horrendous, excruciating. I couldn’t sleep.

"It swelled right up and has been giving me a lot of gyp.

The condition causes the tendons connecting the elbow to the forearm to become inflamed.

"I'm gutted because I was desperate to fight in July and I wanted a rematch with Petrov – but I'm not going in there half-fit, no way," said Hayes.

"I fought with a busted elbow in the past. It was fractured but I was determined to crack on.

"With this, I couldn’t train, my arm was that painful. I can only guess that years of punching, as well as all the hammering and drilling at work, has affected the joint.

"To be honest, the previous injury was a lesson for me. In the past I’d probably have tried to fight anyway, but I was out for a year and I can't afford that to happen again."

Hayes, who has his own carpentry business, will make do with a watching brief at the July 1 show in his hometown, while he bides his time ahead of a planned return in September.

Beyond that, he is aiming to either get his hands on Petrov again, or box for a Southern Area title.

The latter option throws up the intriguing prospect of a clash with former amateur foe Freddy Kiwitt, who will fight Erick Ochieng for the vacant Southern Area crown on July 9.

"I've just started to get back into the swing of things," said Hayes. "I didn’t want to rush getting back in there because I can’t afford another loss.

"I don’t want to mess about with silly fights. I just want eight and 10 rounders and to push on and fight for some titles next year.

"I fought Freddy Kiwitt as an amateur and I'm extremely confident I can beat him. I lost on a split decision and there was a bit of an uproar about it.

"It would be great to avenge that as a professional.

"I know him and he is a nice guy but if he wins that belt he will be right on my radar."