Former world champion Austin Trout has accused the World Boxing Organisation of succumbing to pressure by UK promoter Frank Warren to drop him from the rankings.

Earlier this year when Demetrius Andrade was stripped of the WBO super welterweight belt, Trout was ranked in fourth place, but claims he was removed in favour of British fighter Liam Smith.

The 30 year-old has filed a lawsuit outlining his claims against Warren in a bid to seek out damages of a lost purse of at least $80,000, which has prompted the following response from Queensberry Promotions.

“Frank Warren has been made aware of malicious and entirely false allegations made by Austin Trout in the course of legal proceedings in the US that have been reported in the media.

“Should Mr. Trout repeat these statements outside the protection of the Courts, Mr. Warren will take immediate legal action against Mr Trout.

“The reality is that Mr. Warren has a long and successful working relationship with the World Boxing Organisation whom he considers to be the best run of the governing bodies.

“Mr. Trout’s allegations are ridiculous and totally without foundation and we challenge him to substantiate his claim publicly.”

Warren’s fighter Smith went on to eventually win the WBO belt in October against American John Thompson via stoppage and is set to defend it for the first time in Manchester on December 19.

Trout, who holds a 2012 victory over Miguel Cotto to his credit, has since moved up to number three in the WBO’s latest rankings.