MATTHEW BARNEY'S dream of fighting for the European title has been shattered for a heart-breaking FOURTH time.

The Southampton man had agreed separate dates to box Germany's Thomas Ulrich for the European light-heavyweight title in October, November and December last year.

Each was cancelled and a new date was agreed for this Saturday, January 15.

But with just 72 hours remaining before the duo were finally scheduled to square-up, Ulrich has again pulled out.

Barney, who arrived last Sunday in Germany for the big fight, is furious with the German's behaviour.

He said: "It is a total joke. This is the fourth time he has said he can't box because of a flu or a cold.

"I've been training for four months for this fight, I've not been working and I've not got any money.

"That this has happened again is a disgrace."

Ulrich is easily Barney's toughest opponent and is rated number two by the WBC.

He has been beaten just once in 28 fights - and that was way back in 2001 against American world champion Glencoffe Johnson.

But the Southampton man, above, now believes that he is running scared.

"I just think that he doesn't want to fight me," said Barney.

Ulrich's dramatic late withdrawal is Barney's latest set-back since winning the WBU world light heavyweight title against Portsmouth's Tony Oakey in October 2003.

Since then, he has fought just once and vacated both his British and WBU titles after struggling to find opponents.

The European belt is the only major honour Barney has not boxed for during his professional career.