Chris Eubank is preparing for a High Court fight amid allegations he pulled out of a book deal to publish his life story.

The former world champion boxer, who lives in Hove, is facing a bill of up to £100,000 for breach of contract.

Harper Collins Publishers gave the former world champion an up-front payment of £40,000 to write his autobiography but claims he pulled out of the deal in September 2001 and refused to hand back the cash.

The company has now issued a writ against Eubank to get back its money, complete with damages.

Eubank is gearing up to challenge the claim, to be heard at London's High Court, insisting he submitted a draft of the book to Harper Collins, which refused to publish it.

His solicitor Sarosh Zaiwalla said: "Chris is shocked Harper Collins have taken this step.

"He submitted a draft and they sent him revised proofs.

"Chris was unhappy with some of the changes, which he says did not bring out his true character.

"The book has not been published but Chris has written it."

Eubank's extrovert lifestyle, which includes driving around Brighton and Hove in a giant truck, has never failed to attract media attention. The book was likely to have become a money spinner for Harper Collins.

A statement issued by the firm said: "Following Chris Eubank's decision not to proceed with the publication of his autobiography in September 2001, Harper Collins Publishers regrets to announce we have issued legal proceedings in the High Court for the recovery of the advance money and wasted expenditure incurred.

"We have tried repeatedly during the past 15 months to settle this matter out of court but have now been forced to take legal action."