ENGLISH champion Lee Cutler has called out former amateur rival Joe Laws as he plans his first bout of 2024.

Verwood-raised Cutler came through a 10-round showdown with Kingsley Egbunike at the Bournemouth International Centre last month, winning the English title by unanimous decision.

‘Chaos’ was left frustrated after the fight not to have achieved a stoppage win, also suffering a cut above his left eye in the final round of the entertaining contest, as he extended his pro record to 14-1.

Fellow Dorset fighter Mace Ruegg, who holds an unbeaten 10-0 record, has used social media to try and spark a potential showdown with Cutler in 2024.

Recovery from his wound will delay champion Cutler’s return to the ring, but he already knows who he wants to box next.

“I’ll have to wait for the cut, but my plans are I want to fight Joe Laws next,” Cutler told the Daily Echo.

“One little defence, then move on to the British and European level, and hopefully headlining down here in Bournemouth.”

The ‘Benwell Bomber’ has responded via social media, seemingly very keen for the fight.

Laws, 29, who defeated Cutler in the amateur ranks, holds a professional record of 14-2, following his win over previously undefeated Michael Hennessy Jr in October.

Super-welterweight Cutler last year changed trainer from Kev Thorniley to Josh Pritchard, in Shane McGuigan’s gym.

His last five fights have been in Bournemouth, four on Chris Billam-Smith undercards, but he is ready to spread his wings in the coming months.

The 28-year-old said: “If needed to, I’ll go anywhere, to anyone’s back yard. I don’t care.

“I don’t want people thinking I’m just going to box in front of my home crowd.

“I think my fans deserve an away day.”

Most of Tynesider Laws’s pro bouts have come near his hometown in the north east, although he did box in London in front of the Sky Sports cameras last year.