LAWRENCE Bennett will surpass his dreams tonight if he can lift the English cruiserweight title.

The 33-year-old Southern Area champion faces reigning English 200lb king Matty Askin at the York Hall after what has been a remarkable rise through the ranks.

The awkward southpaw was not meant to get this far in boxing, in fact, it was never on the agenda.

A chance conversation with his current trainer, Islan Eltuyev, while working as door security in the pubs and clubs of Swindon saw Bennett lace up the gloves.

The plan was to hit the road, be a durable journeyman and make some money along the way.

“It was a bit of an accident really (on how I got into boxing),” Bennett said.

“I was working on the doors on a Friday and Saturday nights as I was struggling to make a bit of money and that is where I met Islan.

“He told me to come down the gym and become a boxer, go on the road and earn a bit of money become a journeyman, maybe even win a couple of fights.”

Bennett won his first fight and then a few weeks later he headed out to Sweden at two days’ notice and that is where the self-styled ‘Bad Boy’ started to see a different plan.

“I had my first fight and won,” Bennett said. “Then I went to Sweden and that was amazing – that is where I really got the bug – that is where it all changed for me.”

Having only had two amateur fights and eight professional contests, Bennett’s rise has astounded many and in preparation for Askin, the Swindon-based fighter has been sparring at the renowned Gallagher’s Gym as well as spending time in Cardiff where he shared the ring with former WBO cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli.

“I know everyone says that they haven’t had the perfect camp, you have you ups and downs, but for me this camp has gone as good as it possibly could have,” Bennett said.

“I think it has been my best camp. I feel sharp and strong – the work is done now. I have been up to Gary Lockett’s gym in Cardiff, been down in London, up to Bolton – I have put the miles in for this fight.

“Now it is down to me to go out and perform. I have had some really good sparring, but tend not to spar as good as I fight.

“I have got the rounds in, done the strength and conditioning work and I’m feeling good.”