Flanagan-Mathews: Barclay Replaces Bennett Against Matty Askin

By Elliot Foster

Lawrence Bennett has been ruled out of his next fight due to medical complications.

The Jamaican-born southpaw had been set to face Matty Askin (19-3-1, 12 KOs) in a fierce rematch for the English title, which was made after their ill-tempered first showdown, at Liverpool’s ECHO Arena next month.

Bennett (7-1-1, 1 KO), the 33-year-old from Swindon, was gearing up to the Barnsley-born Blackpool cruiserweight, 27, on March 12, exclusively live on BoxNation, as part of the undercard to Terry Flanagan’s WBO lightweight world title defence against North West rival Derry Mathews.

But it has been revealed that he will not be able to box on the bill after he declared that he has a “serious medical condition.”

Askin, however, will still feature on the ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ bill, which will be promoted by Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.

The title holder will make the fourth defence of his crown against prospect Simon Barclay (8-0, 1 KO), who steps in as a change of opponent on just two-and-a-half weeks’ notice.

Barclay, from Corby in Nottinghamshire, was last in the ring at the Hilton Hotel in Mayfair, London in November when he went the distance with Tamas Polster over six rounds.