STEVE Foster Junior is reeling after the postponement of his headlining world title bout against Nicky Cook.

Cook was due to make his first title defence against Foster Junior at ExCel London on Saturday, December 6, but he has pulled out with flu.

It’s the latest blow for Foster Junior, who has had a number of big fights cancelled meaning he hasn’t actually fought for a year.

The bout with Cook would have been the headline on a card featuring Enzo Maccarinelli, Amir Khan and Audley Harrison.

Cook said: "I’m devastated. I returned to training last week after suffering with the flu, but it was clear I’d missed too many sessions to catch up and I felt really weak.

"I can’t let my heart rule my head and it’s important that I’m 100 per cent fit and ready to defend my title rather lose it and have to come up with excuses." In the run up to the fight Foster Junior spoke of his excitement at finally getting a world title shot.

He said: "It was a great opportunity for me.

"I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career - I’ve been promised big fights that did not come off.

"I respect Cook as a boxer, he did very well to take the title off Alex Arthur but I am convinced I can beat him."