YORK fighter Richard Cadden has had to alter his sights after his championship opponent pul-led out of Sunday's showdown.

However, there will be no let-up for the Acomb Thai boxer as he will instead fight a prestige bout on the same night at the same venue, the G Carnell Sports Centre in Manchester.

Cadden, 25, was due to challenge Scott Chadwick for his Simta British super-lightweight title, the same fighter who was controversially awarded a points victory in their battle for the vacant WPKL British title last July.

But when Chadwick pulled out after straining his abdomen in training, Cadden, who fights out of the Bad Company Gym in Leeds, was paired with Manchester battler Walter Scott.

On first glance it would seem to be an easier bout, but this newly arranged scrap will be under full Thai rather than European rules, which will be something new for Cadden.

"It's an easier fight but the stakes have been upped because it's fighting under full Thai rules, in which elbows and knees to the head are allowed," he said.

"I've never fought under these rules before. I've had more fight experience than him (Scott) but he's had two or three other bouts under full Thai rules, so in that sense he's more experienced."

Cadden, famed for his kicks and long-range techniques, added: "I've trained really hard for this fight, and although the opponent has been altered it does not change the way I've prepared.

"I will be sticking to my game plan. Changes like this do happen so to always train to fight a particular opponent can sometimes work against you.

"If you let them worry about you more, you get stronger at your best techniques and they have to accommodate to your game plan."

The bout comprises five three-minute rounds, the maximum allowed under full Thai rules.

Updated: 12:45 Friday, February 22, 2002