By Richard Hookham

Warren is considering legal action

Frank Warren has ruled out any future involvement with Scott Harrison after he pulled out of his WBO featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook.

The 29-year-old Scot said he had done so on medical advice after having trouble making the 9st weight limit.

Harrison has vacated his title but his manager said he will fight again.

But promoter Warren said: "Scott Harrison is gone, he's out of it, and there are a lot more young hungry fighters coming up who are the future."

Harrison's build-up to Saturday's fight at London's ExCel Arena - his first in a year - has been dogged by difficulties.

The Cambuslang fighter, who has battled alcohol and depression problems, was incarcerated in a Spanish jail for five weeks on assault charges.

I can't ever remember a show like it, but sometimes things happen and you just have to get on with it Frank Warren

He was released in time to be given a clean bill health by the British Boxing Board of Control and had insisted he was in the shape of his life.

Warren said: "The first I heard he had a problem with his weight was on Monday, but I had no clue that he would pull out until his team announced it themselves."

He added: "As far as I'm concerned, the Board were spot-on and I know they gave him the most stringent medical I've ever seen.

"I was put in a position where I had to honour his contract to let him fight when he was passed fit and sometimes these things are out of your control.

Williams's re-match with Audley Harrison now tops the bill

"I feel most sorry for Nicky Cook because he had got himself into great shape for this fight, but I've promised him I'll get him a world title shot again in the spring."

Warren could be forgiven for thinking the show has been jinxed every since he announced it in September.

As well as the uncertainty over Harrison's physical and mental state after he spent five weeks in jail, there was a late change to the line-up late last week.

The heavyweight clash between Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton was called off when the latter fractured his hand in training.

Skelton was replaced by Danny Williams, who beaten Harrison in a turgid clash at the same venue 12 months ago.

This fight will now top the bill on Saturday and Warren said: "These two have even more responsibility on their shoulders to deliver a really good fight.

"I can't ever remember a show like it, but sometimes things happen and you just have to get on with it."