Ireland's Vince Feeney was pulled off an aircraft at Heathrow on Thursday night after a "query" showed up in a Boxing Board of Control brain scan.

Feeney (25), was on board, ready to fly to South Africa to challenge for the IBO super-bantamweight title, but manager Frank Maloney was able to get a late message to the Sligo man to tell him he was out of Tuesday's fight against Simon Ramoni in Durban.

Maloney, who was due to join Feeney in Durban tomorrow, revealed: "When Vince came to the phone, he said: `This must be a joke and if it is a joke it is not a very nice one'. Now we've got to see what happens about his licence, which has been suspended.

"It was going to be his Christmas money. I'm disappointed for Vince, but health and safety must come first."

Feeney must now undergo a further board of control examination.

Feeney's place will be taken by former British and European title challenger Michael Alldis, of Crawley, who was expected to fly out last night.

Meanwhile, Hackney's Bruce Scott has been told he must defend his British cruiserweight title against former holder Terry Dunstan - less than a fortnight after beating Ireland's Darren Corbett to win the vacant crown.