LAWRENCE Bennett’s manager Steve Goodwin has emphatically ruled out a meeting with town rival Luke Watkins.

Before Bennett made the switch from Keith Mayo’s KM Promotions to Goodwin Promotions, Watkins’ team were in talks with the Greenbridge-based company about a possible hometown showdown in the spring.

However, when the 32-year-old Southern Area cruiserweight champion switched management teams the possibility of that spring fight looked less likely.

Goodwin has now stated that there is no chance at this stage in the pairs career will they do battle.

“There is no way we are interested in fighting a three-fight novice – we have no interest at all,” Goodwin told the Advertiser.

“Don’t get me wrong Luke is a good kid, but it is pointless for Lawrence to fight a three-fight novice – it serves no purpose whatsoever.”

With Goodwin petitioning the British Boxing Board of Control to make Bennett the mandatory for the English title, the Swindon southpaw will be out again by the end of March.

While an immediate match with the Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained boxer is not on the agenda, the Leighton Buzzard-based manager says that the pair could meet further down the line.

“We are looking to get Lawrence out by the end of March, probably on one of our shows in London,” Goodwin said.

“We need to build his profile, but if he keeps winning and Luke keeps winning then maybe it will make sense to have the fight.

“But right now there is no way.”