New date for Blackpool boxer Matty Askin's British title fight after Haye wins purse bid

Blackpool boxer Matty Askin's title defence against Stephen Simmons has been rearranged for March 17 after David Haye won the purse bidding.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Jan 2018, 18:41 BST

Updated 11th Jan 2018, 19:00 BST

Askin gets all clear for ring return

British cruiserweight champion Askin pulled out of his planned first defence against Simmons in Edinburgh in October after a shoulder tear.The fight has now been pencilled in for the iconic York Hall venue in east London’s Bethnal Green. Askin, 29, returned to training before Christmas and has been sparring with Simon Vallily, who bids to win Arfan Iqbal’s English title in Manchester next month.Simmons is now the mandatory challenger for Askin, who won the title from Welshman Craig Kennedy in Cardiff last May.Askin’s manager Paul Speak told The Gazette: “Matty and Simmons are the two top-ranked cruiserweights in Britain and it will be a privilege to fight on a David Haye show as he was a cruiserweight world champion himself.“Matty has had some quality sparring with Vallily and we’re looking forward to March 17.”