STEVE Bendall has admitted his "relief" that his fight against Alexander Matviechuk is back on after he was told it was off 24 hours earlier.

The Poole-based southpaw had been scheduled for an eight-rounder against the Ukrainian at Burton-on-Trent on November 29.

But the contest was cancelled after Jonjo Finnegan injured his wrist in a car crash on Tuesday and the show was scrapped because the Burton boxer was top of the bill.

Bendall, however, will now go up against Matviechuk at Walsall Football Club's Bescot Stadium the night before.

The former English middleweight champion's promoters First Team have moved the fight and will be hoping he can chalk up a third straight win under their guidance.

Bendall, who stopped Andrzej Butowicz over seven rounds in his last outing, said: "I'm relieved the fight is back on because I've got myself fighting well again.

"When I was told it was off I was very frustrated but when a guy is injured in a car crash there is nothing you can do about it.

"So I was very relieved when I was told it was back on again because I just want to keep the momentum going.

"I want to continue moving in the right direction for next year and losing one day's preparation isn't going to make a difference to me."

Bendall needs a convincing win over Matviechuk because he is being mooted for an English title clash.

The 33-year-old former Inter-Continental champion has responded well to an eight-round stoppage against Wayne Elcock in December that cost him his English crown.

As well as beating Butowicz, Bendall has also defeated Davey Jones in the past 11 months.

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