Morden boxer Lenny Daws will take another step towards silencing his doubters when he gets back into the ring this weekend.

The 35-year-old takes on Arek Malek from Poland in a light welterweight contest in Reading on Saturday night.

Malek, 36, has 81 bouts under his belt, but 64 have ended in defeat, including his last 11 contests.

Daws, who lost to Michele Di Rocco in a European light welterweight title fight in June but has since beaten Tony Pace, said: “After the title defeat, people were suggesting I should retire.

“But I am more determined than ever and that fight has made me realise the levels I can reach, and I know I can go on further.”

He added: “This bout is about keeping fit before a possible title shot towards the end of May.”