Champion wants Board action on rival

Matty Askin’s management team are to lodge an official complaint to the British Boxing Board Of Control against Lawrence Bennett for his actions on a chaotic night at York Hall, Bethnal Green when the St Annes fighter careered out of the ring along with Bennett and had to be stretchered to the dressing-room.
Askin - fell out of ringAskin - fell out of ring
Askin - fell out of ring

The Askin camp have accused Bennett of deliberately shoving him out of the ring in the first round of their English cruiserweight title clash in the capital.

Askin was later ferried to hospital to be checked over, and though the injuries are not thought to be serious, he and his backroom team are incensed at Bennett’s alleged behaviour.

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A further worrying development occurred within seconds of the fight being called off and declared a ‘technical draw.’

Some fans described as Askin supporters got into the ring in an apparent attempt to try and confront Bennett.

The challenger, from Swindon,who had also fallen through the ropes as the pair tangled but got back into the ring, had to be ushered away to the safe haven of the dressing-room by security-men.

Speaking from hospital on Saturday night, where he was being checked over, Askin fumed: “Bennett bulldozed me through the ring.

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“He was wrestling me down and I landed on a table, which broke and I landed five feet away from the ring.

“Bennett is an idiot.

“I don’t think I have got anything serious, maybe cracked ribs and I have had some difficulty breathing.”

Askin retained his title after the contest was declared a draw, but repercussions could well follow in light of the champion’s complaint.

They may even ask for the decision be changed and for Bennett to be disqualified, though Askin himself said: “I am not concerned about any disqualification. I would rather have it settled where it should be in the ring.”

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Paul Speak, Askin’s manager, said: “Bennett was pushing Matty and he went through the ropes. He barged Matty out of the ring.

“We have witnesses who have said that Bennett’s behaviour was not acceptable from a professional boxer.

“On Monday morning, I am planning to make a complaint to the British Boxing Board Of Control about Bennett’s behaviour.

“It was not easy in all the chaos to see what was going on, but we have spoken to witnesses that Matty was pushed out of the ring,

“Matty landed on his back and hurt his ribs.

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“While I was going with Matty to hospital, his trainer Michael Jennings was speaking to the British Boxing board steward at ringside.

“We will be contacting the Boxing Board to try and get the decision changed and for Bennett to be disqualified.”

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