LEE Haskins will take great pleasure in silencing his critics once and for all when he steps into the ring to challenge British super flyweight champion Andy Bell at Wigan's Robin Park Centre tonight.

But Bristol's most successful active boxer is also hell-bent upon proving a point to himself.

Haskins questioned his own fighting heart and desire after suffering withering title defeats at the hands of Tshifhiwa Munyai and Ian Napa in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Since then, the Lockleaze-based boxer has turned over a new leaf, moving back down to the flyweight division, out-pointing Jamie McDonnell in a tough final eliminator in March and working harder than ever before for a showdown with Bell which he describes as "the biggest fight" of his life.

Haskins has been in Chris Sanigar's Bristol Boys Gym every day for the past three months and insists he is now ready to prove his worth as the city's first Lonsdale Belt holder since Glenn Catley wrenched the British middleweight title from Neville Brown in January 1998.

"I'd love to shut all those people up who doubted me," declared Haskins, who weighed in bang on the 8st 3Ib championship limit.

"But more than that, I want to prove to myself that I can be a champion and a top fighter. I'm my own biggest critic and I don't mind admitting I beat myself in those fights against Munyai and Napa.

"I used to skip training, take shortcuts and then have to really sweat to make the weight. I was leaving too much in the gym and going into fights not properly prepared.

"Without fitness, you are nothing in this game. I realised that after losing to Napa and I've left nothing to chance this time. I weighed myself a week before the fight and I was already a pound beneath the limit.

"I'm in the best condition of my life and, if I don't beat Bell, it won't be because of anything I've left undone.

"It will be nice to show the public what I can do, but it's more important I do my best for me."

Haskins only defeats in an 19-fight career came at bantamweight and he boasts an unblemished record in the 8st division. But he faces a daunting task against super-confident Bell, who produced a stellar performance to out-point Chris Edwards and win the title at the Barnsley Metrodome in March.

Freakishly tall (5ft 8in) for a super flyweight and blessed with a significant reach advantage, the Mansfield-based champion has promised to come out with all guns blazing in a bid to sow seeds of doubt in the challenger's mind.

Yet Haskins believes 22-year-old Bell, who has suffered three defeats in 14 paid outings, is susceptible to swiftly-launched counter-attacks and is backing himself to win inside the distance.

He explained: "I've watched videos of Bell's fights and I've seen weaknesses I can exploit. I'm not going to be drawn into a fight - I'll stand off him, let him come to me and, hopefully, he'll walk onto some big counters.

"He was stopped by Jamie McDonnell and I beat McDonnell fair and square in his own backyard. I think McDonnell is a better boxer than Bell and I'm quietly confident I can get the job done."

Should southpaw Haskins fail to put Bell away inside the distance, he is prepared to go the full 12 rounds.

He said: "I've no problem with going the distance, but Bell might have. I've heard he struggles to make the weight at super-fly and I'm prepared to bide my time and wait for him to tire in the later stages."

Tonight's Frank Maloney promotion is being televised live on Sky Sports and Haskins and Bell are expected in the ring shortly after 9.30.