McIntyre hopes to regain his champion status

Kevin McIntyre may take legal action against the British Boxing Board of Control for stripping him of his welterweight title.

The 30-year-old from Paisley has lost his status as champion after he was twice forced to pull out of title defences because of a back injury.

"I feel as though I've been totally screwed. I'm disgusted," he said.

"If I had a bigger promoter behind me, there is no way in a million years this would have happened."

McIntyre was due to face Sheffield's Kell Brook at Meadowbank on 3 May but that show was cancelled and the bout rescheduled for 14 June at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

The Scot then suffered a recurrence of the injury and, although he is now back in training, is not yet fit enough to meet the date.

I don't see how I can go quietly on this. Kevin McIntyre

However, McIntyre claims he would be fit in time for a bout in the last week of June, which would meet the BBBC's original stipulation that the defence take place before 30 June.

But that would have meant scrapping this weekend's entire card in London.

Brook is now set to face Welshman Barrie Jones for the vacant title instead.

"I've got to look after number one and I was looking for the Board to be strong," added McIntyre.

"I've been a professional boxer for 10 years, I've paid my licence fees for 10 years and I was looking at the Board to give me a bit of support, not the promoters.

"They have let me down."

McIntyre is hoping he regain his champion status at a meeting of the stewards of the BBBC in Cardiff on Wednesday. If not, he says legal action could be the next step.

"I think it's the only way to go," he said. "I don't see how I can go quietly on this.

"The feedback I seem to be getting is that I should be favourite for mandatory position to challenge for the title.

"But why should I go back in as challenger? I've done absolutely nothing wrong."

McIntyre's promoters Braveheart are reluctant to call in their lawyers but say they would consider such action if the BBBC uphold the decision.