LAWRENCE Bennett has slammed claims that he has rejected an offer of a rematch with English cruiserweight champion Matty Askin.

The Swindon southpaw locked horns with the Blackpool bruiser last month at the York Hall only for the fight to end in controversy with both men on the floor outside the ring before Askin, who was back in training 10 days later, was taken away on a stretcher.

That contest was declared a technical draw, with the British Boxing Board of Control looking into what happened that night.

But with the board not meeting until Wednesday, Askin’s camp have claimed on their Facebook page that they have ‘officially offered’ Bennett a rematch and stated that Bad Boy had ‘declined the offer’.

Bennett’s manager Steve Goodwin was quick to respond by replying: “This is not true.

“We have received no formal offer that we can accept or decline. In addition, we may wish to stage the fight in London.

“The boxing board are also meeting next week to decide what happens from the first fight so nothing can be done anyway until this hearing is completed.”

Bennett, who is still set to meet Wadi Commacho on December 5 to defend his Southern Area title, told the Advertiser that he just wants to get Askin in the ring.

“The fight will happen, whether I’m mandated or it is a voluntary, the fight will go ahead,” Bad Boy said.

“Matty Askin and his manager Paul Speak are trying to say they had nothing to do with what went on his Facebook page – when I checked on Thursday.

“We haven’t seen any offers to reject, the board meet on Wednesday and then we will go from there.”

However, if Bennett has to head north to Blackpool for the fight, the 33-year-old says that he will want assurances over his safety.

“When the fight happened in London, his fans racially abused me and wanted to attack me. Imagine what it would be like if it happened in Blackpool and a couple of hundred of his fans were there,” Bennett said.

“If we have to go there, I’d want assurances from him, the promoter and the board to make sure I’m not racially abused and my personal safety is guaranteed.

“The main thing is getting Matty Askin in the ring and showing what level I’m at – this fight is the key to the kingdom.”

Meanwhile, Kelvin Young’s Southern Area super-middleweight title shot on December 4 at the Camden Centre has been called off after defending champion Darryll Williams withdrew due to a neck injury.