LAWRENCE Bennett is being lined up for a shock British cruiserweight title eliminator in just his seventh fight as chief support to Kelvin Young’s first defence of his IBO inter-continental super-middleweight crown.

The 31-year-old, who won the Southern Area title in only his sixth professional fight, is now waiting for the British Boxing Board of Control to ratify a clash with Walsall’s Chris Keane to put the winner next in line for an opportunity to Jon-Lewis Dickinson for the Lonsdale strap.

Bad Boy was expecting to make his first defence of the belt he won in March when he out-pointed Margate’s Jack Morris, however, a contest with Keane, who defeated Shane McPhilbin for the Midlands Area title, was just too big an opportunity for him and his manager Keith Mayo to turn down.

“This is what I got into boxing for,” Bennett said. “They said that I couldn’t win the Southern Area title in the guy’s hometown and I beat him.

“Now I’ve got this chance and I determined to beat him, then I want to go for the British title.”

Mayo added: “If we can get Lawrence’s fight confirmed that will be an awesome, an eliminator for a British title is really awesome.

“It has come out of the blue, we were looking at a defence for his Southern Area belt and then we were asked if would consider Chris Keane.

“At first I said no because he was from Walsall, but then they said a British title eliminator I said yes.

“He (Keane) is a tough lad, but Lawrence is improving big time and I told him he has to take these opportunities when they come along.”

Headling the show on June 7 at the Oasis Leisure Centre is Penhill’s Young and he is being lined up to tackle Frenchman Nicolas Dion.

The 27-year-old Swindonian is putting his IBO title on the line against the 32-year-old from Grenoble who has won 11 of his 12 contests.

And while Young is dreaming of a shot at the main belt, which was recently vacated by Thomas Oosthuizen, later down the line he knows that he can’t look past Dion.

“He (Dion) is tough come forward fighter and I’m that he will bring the best out of me,” Young said.

“The main belt has been vacated and two other lads (Alexander Brand from Columbia and American Don George) are fighting for that now.

“Hopefully, I will get two defences of my title and then I can get a crack at the main belt, but I can only look at my next fight.”

Former Walcot and England amateur Ryan Martin is set to make his second outing in the paid ranks, while Swindon-based super-middleweight Tariq Quaddus is also on the bill along with Gloucester middleweight Wayne Ingram, light-welterweight Tamuka Mucha from Reading and Thomas Jarvis.

Tickets are priced £1,000 for a ringside table for 10 people, £850 for table of 10 in row two, £60 ringside seat and £35 unreserved. For more information visit www.kmpromotions.co.uk