A former British boxing champion is making a dramatic return to the ring for a shot at a world title.
Matty Askin, 37, from Blackpool, will fight for the Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) World Bridgerweight Title in London on November 14.
He is set to face Croatian fighter Marko Martinjak at the Indigo at The O2.
Mr Askin said: "After I retired I was going down a bad path – not knowing where I was or who I was.
"If I had one drink, I couldn’t stop. I was addicted.
"I wasn’t any good to my family when I was absent through drink. I suffered mood swings.
"My mental health was in a bad place. I found out that I needed routine and I needed boxing.
He added: "I went running and I made a deal that I would take up bare-knuckle boxing.
"I thought I would have one fight, scratch the itch and that would be it, win, lose or draw.
"But once I got back in there, I had so much fun I realised how much I had missed fighting and now I am pushing the best I ever have to be a world champion."
It will be only his second bare-knuckle bout, following his debut win against Jay Kerr in July.
The former pro boxer retired in 2019 with a record of 23 wins (15 by knockout), four defeats, and one draw.
During his 10-year professional career, he won British and English Cruiserweight titles and fought Lawrence Okolie in front of 90,000 fans on the Anthony Joshua undercard at Wembley in 2018.
Since returning to training, Mr Askin has shed seven stone and said he feels fitter than ever.
He credits boxing with saving his life and helping him rebuild his mental health and sense of purpose.
The father-of-three, who attended Thames Primary and Palatine High School, is inspired by his wife Samantha and their three sons.
Mr Askin said: "I am the best version of myself ever now.
"I don’t drink. I have a strict routine.
"I go early to the gym every day so I can be there to help Samantha get the boys ready for school.
"I want to show my children that all things are possible.
"I have gone from sitting at home drinking beer, not really being available to my wife and kids, to fighting for a world title.
"I want to show them that through grit, determination, and sheer willpower, all things are possible."
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The world title fight is scheduled for six three-minute rounds, though Mr Askin believes it may not go the distance.
He said: "It would mean the world to me.
"It would mean I could shut my eyes at night and finally rest easy."
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