STEVE Bendall has warned Dazzling' Darren Barker not to write him off just yet.

The Poole-based southpaw may be 34 and Barker still only a babe at 25.

But looking ahead to their mouth-watering Commonwealth middleweight title clash next month, Bendall said: "Darren probably thinks I'm finished down to my age. But I have to prove him wrong, and I will."

Bendall, with three defeats in 31 fights going into the contest at Bethnal Green on Friday, February 22, added: "I'm confident I'm going to win it.

"I have to win it. It is the last throw of my dice. I don't want to go out of the sport unable to have fulfilled my full potential."

Barker, who has reeled off 16 straight wins, including 10 knockouts, since turning professional in 2004, got his hands on the vacant Commonwealth crown when he convincingly beat Ben Crampton on an unanimous points decision in November.

Bendall said: "Darren is a very good boxer. He has probably got a similar style to me, although he is orthodox. I'm not bothered about going into his home territory at Bethnal Green though.

"He was born in Barnet and lives in Harrow, so will have a lot of support there.

"However, I have done it before a number of times in my career and pulled off some great wins in front of other fighter's home crowds.

"All I want to do is concentrate on my own career, not think about the fact he is on home territory. Everything has gone well in the gym and in the ring for me over the past six months, so I'm happy to get this fight on.

"I've been in negotiations for three weeks and finally signed a contract on Tuesday which then had to be confirmed by the British Boxing Board of Control.

"It will be good to go in against Darren and it should be a great fight."

The fight tops the bill in York Hall, one of boxing's best supported venues, and Bendall is delighted it is being screened live on Sky.

He said: "It's great to be back on live TV, especially as I still believe I have under achieved.

"This is my last chance to perform, and I want to show people all over the country I'm not finished.

"I'm confident I can do this. He is a young kid, he is a fit lad, but it is a winnable fight."

Barker may have won six of his 16 contests at Bethnal Green, including his last two over Crampton and Greg Barton.

But Bendall has triumphed in his two outings there, against Tomas Da Silva (2002) and Kreshnick Qato (2003).

  • The Pig & Whistle Pub in Westbourne are running a coach to London to support their man.

To book a seat and order your fight ticket, contact Bendall on 07855 942151.