Steve Bendall is targeting a crack at the winner of next week's battle for the vacant Commonwealth title.

Southern Area champion Darren Barker and Ben Crampton from Canada clash at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Wednesday, November 14 and then Bendall gets the chance to press his title claims later this month.

He boxes an eight-rounder against Alexander Matviechuk from Ukraine in Burton on Trent on November 29 and will be aiming to chalk up a third straight win against a rock-chinned import.

Matviechuk's record shows he has mixed in good company and only hammer-fisted Anthony Small has stopped him in 28 professional fights.

That should suit Poole-based Bendall.

The 33 year-old southpaw is keen to get more rounds under his belt and said: "I just need to stay busy, keep winning and see what comes up.

"I'm hoping another win will lead to something big next year and I'm hoping to get the winner of next week's Commonwealth title fight.

"I've got to make sure I put on a show in my next fight and hope I'm impressive enough to get my chance.

"There are plenty of big fights out there for me."

They include a mooted clash with Matthew Thirlwall for the English title and other possible opponents include Matthew Macklin and Darren McDermott.

McDermott holds the British Masters belt and boxes on First Team Promotion shows that involve Bendall's manager Errol Johnson.

A former challenger for British and European belts, Bendall has stayed in the mix by chalking up back-to-back wins.

He was surprisingly flat in an eighth-round stoppage defeat against Wayne Elcock last December that cost him his English title and has responded with wins over Davey Jones and Andrzej Butowicz.

Bendall had to dig deep against Butowicz before smashing him to the canvas in spectacular style in the seventh and added: "There are things to work on, but I'm improving with every fight."

Tickets for the bill in Burton are available by calling 07855 942151.