LAWRENCE Bennett says that he will do whatever it takes to beat Matty Askin and become the English cruiserweight champion.

The self-styled ‘Bad Boy’ collides with the Assassin, who stopped Tamas Bajzath in his last outing, at the York Hall on Saturday, October 17, and has spent time working out at the renowned Gallagher’s Gym in Bolton in preparation for the biggest fight of his career.

And having won his last fight in spectacular fashion, a first round stoppage of Jamie Hearn to successfully defend his Southern Area title, Bennett is full of confidence ahead of his October contest.

“I’ll go wherever I need to go, do whatever I need to do for this fight,” Bennet said.

“I’ve been up at the Gallagher’s Gym and it is nice to be in that kind of company, they have got some really good guys up there.

“If I win this then doors open. I keep saying, when I fight that this is a defining fight.

“Winning the Southern Area was a defining fight, defending it was a defining fight, but winning the English title will fling the door open.

“I just have to go out there and prepare - I know the best Lawrence Bennett beats Matty Askin.”

Bennett, who turned professional after two amateur fights, feels that people will question his achievements should he come up short against Askin, who lost his British and Commonwealth title fight with champion Ovill McKenzie in March.

However, that doesn’t concern the Bad Boy, who has only had eight contests in the paid ranks.

“I think people are giving me a bit me more recognition now, it is nice,” the 32-year-old said.

“I know that will disappear if I come up short for the English title.

“People will question what I’ve done in the past. I don’t worry about that; I just go out there and do what I have got to do.

“He (Askin) is a good kid. He’s got amateur pedigree, on paper I haven’t got a chance.

“But on paper Jamie Hearn beats me, on paper Chrissy Keane knocks me out, on paper I shouldn’t go to London and win the Southern Area (against Jack Morris).

“I don’t mind being the underdog; I like it. It makes me work harder.”

Tickets for the York Hall show in October are priced £35 standard and £60 VIP; contact Bennett for more details.