THE world title shot is gone for now, but expat Wanganui boxer Robert Berridge will keep plugging away to get major fights as the 29-year-old prepares for his Brazilian opponent on the undercard of July 5's Hydr8 Zero Heavyweight Explosion fight night featuring Joseph Parker vs Brian Minto.
It was been a disappointing two months for the southpaw Berridge (23-1-1), who had to pull out of his May fight with rival Adrian Taihia after suffering a bruised knuckle while in training.
His promoters Duco Events were trying to manoeuvre him towards an August 9 clash with WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, however the Russian will now defend the title on a card televised by HBO against Australia's Blake Caparello, the only man to beat Berridge with a points decision in 2012.
Berridge will now face Brazil's Rogerio Damasco (12-1-2) on the Parker vs Minto undercard, which he was philosophical about when interviewed by TV3 this week.
"I think [Damasco's] probably going to help us get a few ranking points in the WBO, but it's just another fight.