Blackpool boxer Askin pulls out of British title defence

Blackpool's British boxing champion Matty Askin has been forced to pull out of his first defence next month with a shoulder injury.
Matty AskinMatty Askin
Matty Askin

The 28-year-old cruiserweight has torn a tendon in his right shoulder while sparring.

and so has withdrawn from his scheduled title fight with Stephen Simmons at the Meadowbank Arena in Edinburgh on October 6.

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Askin hopes to reschedule the fight with the Scot but is expected to be out of action for three months.

He won the vacant British title in May, when he stopped Craig Kennedy in six rounds at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

Askin’s manager Paul Speak told The Gazette: “Matty has already seen a surgeon and we expect a three-month period of recovery.

“The procedure he has will determine how long he is out but we would hope he will be sparring again in a month or two with a view to returning to the ring in three.

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“We have contracted Simmons’ people and the British Boxing Board of Control to inform them and Matty is gutted.

“He cannot punch because of the injury and has been advised to rest until after his procedure.

“He will try to keep busy and has bought property in Blackpool which he is renovating with his partner.”

The cancellation will also be a disappointment to Simmons, who is five years Askin’s senior at 33. He has won 17 of his 19 professional fights and was bidding to become Scotland’s first-ever British cruiserweight champions.

Askin, who was previously the English champion, has won 22 bouts out of 26.

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