Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym's attempt to win back the WBA super-bantamweight title suffered a knockout blow on Thursday after he failed pre-fight blood tests.

The 32-year-old Thai was scheduled to fight unbeaten champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba in Texas on Friday.

Poonsawat failed three blood tests, ending his hopes of regaining the title he lost to North Korea's Ryol Li Lee in Japan in 2010, his handlers said.

According to his wife Uangkarn Udomna, Poonsawat's test failure may be the result of the recessive blood disorder, thalassemia.

Promoter Thaweesin Laosuwannawat said that a press conference will be held in Bangkok to explain the issue on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pornsawan Porpramook (27-4-1, 17KOs) will challenge for the vacant WBA minimumweight title against Japan's Ryo Miyazaki (17-0-3, 10KOs) in Osaka on Dec 31.

The 34-year-old Thai is trying to win back the title he lost to Japan's Akira Yaegashi last October. However, the Japanese is heavy favourite as he is 10 years younger.