Lewis Benson second from the left at the press conference to confirm his opponent. Picture Nigel Duncan Media

Super-lightweight Lewis Benson steps back into the ring at Meadowbank on Friday to face a challenge from a fighter who has nearly 40 contests to his name.

The Edinburgh puncher has fought in eight paid contests and he can’t afford to slip up as Benson is booked for another fight in November.

It’s a pressure situation but Benson is desperate to make up for lost time after being without a fight since outpointing Marek Laskowski at Meadowbank earlier this year.

Benson has watched footage of Friday’s opponent on the internet and Georgian fighter Mikal Avarian has been in with some good names.

And the Scot admitted: “I don’t know much more about him but he has boxed a guy who Ricky Burns beat.

“He’s been round the block and has boxed some good names and I want do do a good job on the guy.

“Boxing a guy I don’t really know does not bother me. As an amateur I travelled the world fighting guys I’ve not heard of.

“You just get in there and find a way and that’s what I’ll be doing on Friday night.”

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