by Shaun Brown
Matty Askin has withdrawn from his British Cruiserweight title fight with challenger Stephen Simmons on October 6 in Edinburgh.
The bout which formed part of a British title double header, to be screened live on Boxnation, with Gary Cornish fighting Sam Sexton for the vacant British heavyweight title now sees Simmons fighting for the IBF European Cruiserweight title against Simon Barclay.
"Matty Askin has injured his shoulder I believe with which the fight has been cancelled," Simmons wrote on his Instagram page. "I'm so happy my team MTK Global have secured me a great title of which I'm very confident in winning and putting myself well rate in the IBF world rankings."
Speaking to Boxing Scene earlier, Simmons said: "Pretty devastated but my management have manged to pull off another good title shot for me.
'Scene asked Simmons if the Askin fight will be rearranged but the Scot says he won't be hanging around waiting with the 33-year-old eyeing a world title shot in the future.
"Possibly [be arranged] next year, just need to see how his injury heals up but I'm not going to be hanging about. My aim is to move forward to a world title shot."
In Simon Barclay, Simmons will be facing a (9-1, 1 KO) 27-year-old who was stopped by Askin in 2016 when the current British champ stopped the Corby Cruiserweight in two rounds in defence of his English title.
"He's a nice, neat boxer but I think I'll be too strong and too clever for him on the night," Simmons said of his new opponent.
"I've only ever seen him fight once. There's not much on him either.
"I'm not going to go in there stupid and try and do it quicker than what Askin done. The aim is to go in there and win the title
