LAWRENCE Bennett has vacated his Southern Area cruiserweight title so that he can focus on his rematch with Matty Askin.

Bennett was set to defend the crown he won in March 2014 on December 5 against Wadi Comacho.

However, the British Boxing Board of Control have ordered that Bennett and Askin must meet again by the end of March next year for the English title.

The first Bennett-Askin fight, which took place in October at York Hall, ended in controversy as both fighters fell out of ring.

The English champion was stretchered away from the ring, where tests revealed bruised ribs, while several of Askin’s supporters gained access to the ring in attempt to get to Bennett, who was also racially abused.

The contest was called a technical draw that night and the board have called for purse bids to stage the fight once more.

“I’m happy that I have got my rematch,” Bennett told the Advertiser.

“I can’t wait to get him in the ring again. Matty Askin is a good boxer, but I do believe I beat him.

“Because I’ve got my rematch, I have decided to vacate my Southern Area title.

“I’ve had that for nearly two years, defended it, but it is time to let someone else fight for it.

“It was a great title to have, but I’m focusing on the English belt now. Once I win that, I will look to defend it and then move on.”

The self-styled ‘Bad Boy’, who says that his manager Steve Goodwin will be making a ‘substantial bid’ to stage Askin-Bennett II, is still looking to fight in December.

“It will be probably be a four or six-rounder, just to stay busy,” said the 33-year-old. “I’m already training, so I can then have a couple of weeks off and then go straight into camp for the Askin fight.

“I spoke to my manager yesterday and he said that he will be making a substantial bid to stage the fight again.

“He has backed me once and he will be going out there to back me again.

“Matty Askin is not the same fighter away from Blackpool - I want to put him under pressure and make him crumble.”

Meanwhile, the board have confirmed that Malmesbury’s Joe Hughes will defend his English super-lightweight title against the undefeated Ricky Hatton-trained Anthony Upton at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday, December 5.