Cruiserweight Askin Hopes Unusual Route Leads To The Top

Matty Askin admits his career would be in danger of collapsing, but for his big hearted parents.

The unbeaten Blackpool cruiserweight’s career is entirely funded by his mum and dad, who are backing his bid to become world cruiserweight champion.

Askin, 22, will be hoping to impress the family in his seaside hometown on Friday August 19 when he meets tough Argentinian Juan Manuel Garay over six rounds.

Central Area champion Askin who has won all ten pro fights said: “I am lucky that I don’t have to work because I am funded by my mum and dad, Stuart and Cheryl. By succeeding it repays them because they are doing everything they can to help me achieve great things.

“If I got battered or lost it is showing them I am not doing what I should be doing. My mum’s dad boxed Ken Buchanan. She watched him a lot and absolutely loves boxing.

“Neither of my parents misses a fight of mine and mum always says if she was a lad she would have loved to have boxed. It will be a proud moment for them when I box in my hometown and without them backing me it might have been impossible.”

In the Blackpool bill topper Matthew Hatton faces unbeaten Belarussian Andre Abramenka for the vacant IBF intercontinental welterweight title. Askin’s occasional sparring partner, Rik Turba is up against Dutchman Mitchell Balker over eight rounds

Other prospects on the bill include welterweight hopeful Adam Little who tackles Liam Griffiths and middleweight Tom Scott whose debut opponent is Bobby Wood. In a six round bantamweight attraction Kazakhstan’s Zhanat Zhakyanov faces Anwar Alfadi.

The show promoted by Robert Waterman will be televised live by Eurosport and ticket are available prices £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222 and www.ticketline.co.uk