LAWRENCE Bennett’s trainer Islan Eltuyev says he has noticed an extra spring in the step of his charge as he prepares for his English cruiserweight title fight next month.

Swindon’s self-styled Bad Boy heads to the famous York Hall on October 17 looking to dethrone champion Matty Askin.

And Bennett goes into the biggest fight of his career following his finest win in the paid ranks.

The Southern Area champion successfully defended his belt at the home of British boxing in March with a first-round stoppage of Jamie Hearn.

Following that fight, Bennett’s manager Steve Goodwin has secured him a shot against the Assassin in Bethnal Green.

Since heading into full camp for the fight, Eltuyev has been impressed with what the 32-year-old has been doing.

“He trains really hard,” Eltuyev said. “He is a disciplined boy.

“He still has a number of weeks left until the fight – just has to keep going on.”

Bennett has spent a number of sessions sparring at the renowned Gallagher’s Gym in Bolton, spending time in the ring with unbeaten light-heavyweight prospect Hosea Burton.

“He was really good when he came back,” the trainer added.

“It is a big fight for him (against Askin) I tell him to listen to me and what I’m saying. If he does that then we will be alright for that fight.”

Askin heads into the ring having banished the memory of a disappointing performance in his British and Commonwealth title bid against Ovill McKenzie with a second-round stoppage of Hungarian journeyman Tamas Bajzath.

But Eltuyev is not reading too much into the Blackpool fighter’s recent displays.

Meanwhile, Askin is hoping that the Bennett fight will help put him on the path to redemption wtih McKenzie.

“The English title means a lot to me so I am prepared for all comers and given that Bennett is a strong kid from what I’ve seen of him, he’s going to try and make me work hard,” Askin told www.worldboxingnews.net.

“It might turn into a thinking fight on the night, but I believe that I’m too good for him and that I will win by a stoppage and hopefully get the McKenzie rematch.”