LAWRENCE Bennett says that he has got bigger things on his plate than a hometown showdown with Luke Watkins.

With Swindon’s two cruiserweights seemingly on a collision course in the spring, the 32-year-old Southern Area champion admits he would rather continue his push for a shot at the British title rather than being the ‘King of Swindon’.

Watkins, who turned 25 on Monday, has enjoyed a high-profile start to his professional career under the guidance of trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick and manager George Groves - stopping two of his three opponents to date.

But Bennett, who has not fought since winning a British title eliminator in the summer, said: “They keep talking and keep mentioning my name but I don’t see what they bring to the table.

“I feel that they are using my name to legitimise their man in a quest to get a proper fight – if it wasn’t for George Groves he wouldn’t be anywhere.”

Bennett, who has only had seven professional fights and admits that he is unlikely to fight again this year, questioned Groves’ claim that Watkins is world class.

The super-middleweight star said that his boxer has the ability to reach the top of the 200lb tree after seeing him knock Hungarian Istvan Kun out earlier this month.

“If Luke Watkins is world class after three fights what does that make me?” Bennett said. “I beat Chris Keane in my last fight – he was the ABA champion and he knocked out (former British champion) Shane McPhilbin.

“If they want to get him a world title shot and then coming looking for me I’d happily knock him out.”

With no firm plans in place for his next outing, Bennett believes that 2015 is going to be a big year for him.

“There are a few bits and pieces going on and things should be clearer over the next few weeks,” the southpaw added.

“I’m ranked in the top 10 of Britain and those are the fights I want. Being King of Swindon is nice, but I feel that I’m beyond that.”

“I would like to be busier - at the end of the day I’m not getting paid if I’m not fighting - but I have got a feeling that 2015 is going to be massive for me.”