The Bradford super-featherweight was due to defend his English title at the MEN Arena in a 12-rounder that also doubled up as a final eliminator for the British belt.

But Fehintola, 25, was stunned to be told over the weekend that Foster had decided to drop out because "he did not feel it was the right fight".

Fehintola claimed to be in perfect nick for the match-up, which was due to take place on the Amir Khan undercard, and could not believe the bombshell news.

He said: "I am absolutely boiling about this. I can’t believe that he can leave it so late before deciding that he doesn’t want the fight.

"Everything had been going to plan for me. Training had been great and I’d done some really tough sparring and then I get a call to say the whole thing’s off - I’m devastated.

"I had sold £5,000 worth of tickets for this fight and now I’m not even on the show at all."

Fehintola was offered a short-notice rematch with Stephen Bell after last year’s ring war. But with no title at stake, he turned it down.

The fight against Salford-based Foster had already been called off once after Fehintola suffered a training injury.

He added: "I only pulled out last time because I had to.

"I could understand if he didn’t want to take the fight but why wait until the week before it’s due to take place?

"If it’s not the right fight for him now then surely it wasn’t the right fight for him a month ago?

"It’s just really frustrating because I’ve been preparing for this for so long. I think I’m fighting again on October 25 when I’ll be headlining a show but that doesn’t make up for missing this weekend."

By Simon Parker

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/3637029.Femi_is_fuming_over_late_Foster_call_off/