New Addington boxer Gareth Gardner has warned his next opponent there will be no time for show-boating when they meet in the ring.

Gardner takes on Frank Smith next week for the vacant Queensbury Boxing League British middleweight title.

Gardner was last in action in March when he beat Sam Holloway to capture the light middleweight belt.

But the 30-year-old is now looking to repeat history by moving up a division to recapture the belt he relinquished in 2013 when he temporarily retired from the competition.

And he is deadly serious about his mission, and he suggests Smith is likewise.

Gardner said: “I remember Frank [Smith] from the amateurs and he’s a strong kid who looks like he can bang, but I’ve faced lots of big hitters in the league and I’ve proved I can take a shot.

“But I just hope Frank Smith is taking this fight seriously as when I watched him in his last contest he looked more interested in playing up to the crowd than boxing, and he won’t get the chance to do that when he’s in the ring with me.”

The showdown will headline the QBL’s big night of championship action on September 27 at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey.

For more information go to queensburyboxing.co.uk.