Big-hitting boxer Darren Askew is preparing to step into the ring for one of the biggest bouts of his career.

The 30-year-old former Workington man will face New Zealand’s Anthony Taylor, 27, over 12 rounds in a WBU super lightweight title fight on August 22.

The fight will take place in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Askew, who is the Queensland super lightweight champion and has also won the Victoria state super welterweight title, believes his career has been leading to this fight.

He said: “This is my first 12-round fight. My career has kind of been building to this. We were in negotiations with a team in Victoria for me to fight their lad for the Australian title but that fell through and this opportunity came up, so it was hard to say no.

“Taylor is a strong, tough fighter, does some basics well but makes simple mistakes which I plan to exploit.

“I’m buzzing to be going to his back yard to fight. I love a challenge and the odds being stacked against me.”

Askew, a former Stainburn School pupil, used to train at Workington Boys’ Club before moving to Australia in an attempt to further his career after becoming disillusioned with boxing in the UK.