STEVE Bendall has stressed he will be looking forward from now on - not back.

The unbeaten mandatory challenger for the British middleweight title has been denied a tilt for the crown against Battersea Bomber Howard Eastman.

But Bendall has decided to put the unsavoury 'will he or won't he fight Eastman' episode that has not been of his own making firmly behind him and focus fully on the future.

Bendall, who has a 21-0 professional record, was due to face Eastman in Nottingham on Friday.

But Eastman's promoter Mick Hennessey only rang the Poole-based southpaw at the beginning of last week to tell him the contest was off.

And, astonishingly, by last night Eastman had still not voluntarily relinquished the British title, claims Bendall.

Hennessey's confirmation call to Bendall came when he was training at altitude in South Africa, meaning the Dorset boxer had spent several days in Johannesburg before being told the fight was off.

Bendall, now back in England, fully understands why Eastman would rather go for a World title, but he said: "They gave Howard until the end of March to fight me but because the contract was signed for March 12, if he hasn't vacated before then he will be stripped.

"But until the British Boxing Board of Control do that we are sat here left guessing.

"We spoke to the board last week and they said their next management meeting is on Wednesday when they would like to sit down and nominate a challenger to me for the British title and go through a procedure to make a fight.

"My manager Nick Durrant believes Eastman will vacate by the end of today but we just have to hope that he does.

"I am hoping to fight for the title some time in April. That would give my new opponent the six-week period to get ready for it.

"I've heard that there are three likely contenders but I haven't been told any names. I would think Scott Dann is one.

"Gary Lockett could be another and possibly the southern area champion, which is Allan Gray.

"Gary and Scott are very powerful but they have to hit you to win. If they can't hit you they are not powerful.

"At the end of the day, I have to concentrate on winning the British title whoever is my opponent.

"I fancied my chances about beating Eastman so I have to fancy my chances against anyone else. Once a new opponent and fight date has been set, I'll know when to go back to South Africa."