Troy Williamson began the week on the precipice of fighting for a world title.

It ends with his European super middleweight championship in jeopardy.

England’s Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) pulled off a huge upset when he scored a come-from-behind knockout of countryman Callum Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs) in the 10th round December 20 at First Direct Arena in Leeds.

When the IBF later moved through its rankings, it got to the newly installed Williamson, who expressed interest in facing unbeaten Cuban knockout artist Osleys Iglesias for one of the super middleweight titles Terence Crawford vacated when he retired last month.

Williamson was prevented from fighting Iglesias when Simpson’s promoter, BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, exercised Simpson’s contractual right to an immediate rematch, which will likely take place in May.

It now appears, however, that the EBU title will not be on the line when Williamson and Simpson fight again.

According to Article 17 of the EBU rules, direct rematches are forbidden, unless the EBU council allows it. The Ring has learned that the EBU voted against approving Williamson-Simpson 2 as a fight for its 168-pound championship.

The EBU determined that although Simpson was ahead at the time of the stoppage, he was dropped four times and the result was neither close nor controversial.

Moreover, Williamson won the title as a voluntary challenger. A proposed contest between the pair therefore cannot be considered a voluntary defense.

Williamson will instead be called to face another contender for the EBU belt. It looks likely though, that he will be forced to vacate the title because he is contractually bound to face Simpson in their immediate rematch.