FURIOUS Bolton boxer Alex Penarski has accused an arch-rival of refusing to fight him.

Penarski, aged 46, was scheduled to fight Salford slugger Wayne 'Mad Dog' Barker in September at the Picadilly Hotel in Manchester but the bout was cancelled.

Since then the fight - for the vacant cruiserweight title of Great Britain - has been rescheduled several times but on each occasion, says Penarski, his opponent has ducked out.

The latest came last Friday when the fight was ear-marked to take place at The Last Drop - only for Barker to pull out.

However, Penarski then discovered that Barker fought LAST NIGHT in Leigh.

"I don't know what he's playing at," said the Bolton boxer.

"I've been training for months for this fight. People like my trainer Sandy Holt have given up their own time and he just won't get in a ring with me.

"I don't care about the money any more. I state here and now that I'll give everything to charity.

"This is more personal now. We have arranged the fight at Horwich leisure Centre, at Middlebrook, at the Last Drop and each time he has made an excuse.

"He says he wants it in Manchester and then it turns out he was fighting in Leigh last night!

"Everyday in Bolton I get people coming up to me and asking me what's going on.

"I will do anything to get this fight on so I can beat him fair and square in the ring."

Penarski has come out of 'retirement' to fight Barker. He was at his peak 20 years ago when he was rated one of the best light heavyweight boxers in the country and fought top names like Denis Andries and Tom Collins.

The Bolton fighter is now hoping Barker will finally agree to step in the ring so that his months of hard training work will not be in vain.