NEWLY-crowned champion Steve Bendall is determined to land his second world title as he bids to set up a big Bournemouth fight night.

The 40-year-old veteran says he is hoping to stage a bout in his adopted hometown – but only if he can win his upcoming Global Boxing Council showdown.

Experienced campaigner Bendall will battle for the vacant GBC super middleweight belt when he faces Ghana’s Daniel Adjei Sowah in Berlin on February 1.

The comeback king earned his latest title shot after returning to the ring to claim the World Boxing Union middleweight crown last month with a sixth-round stoppage of John Akulugu in Germany.

Westbourne-based Bendall, who has a professional record of 30 wins in 37 fights, has been in the gym during the festive period as he prepares to meet Sowah, who boasts 13 victories in 18 contests.

And he is eyeing the chance to fight on home territory if he can continue his boxing comeback with another success.

Bendall told the Daily Echo: “I haven’t stopped. I had three days off after the fight but I trained over Christmas including Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

“I have just kept going. I want to give it everything I can. I am not feeling like I am 40 yet and I love being in there fighting.

“I am also a realist and I say that with one more defeat, I will retire. I still knew I had something left. I took the chance and, so far, it is working.”

Bendall added: “I am trying to get wins to build my profile. If I win, I am looking to bring a fight to Bournemouth.”