Newcastle's former World Boxing Foundation welterweight champion will fight Argentina's Aldo Rios for the International Boxing Organisation inter-continental junior welterweight belt at Newcastle Jockey Club on Saturday, November 21.

The last time Bennett fought at that weight was against Sirimongkol Singwancha in May last year, but he lost too much weight too quickly and was no match for the two-time former world champion, who knocked him out in the first round.

Bennett has taken a more-measured approach this time.

"In the past I've had to train hard all the way up to the fight because I've been battling to make weight, but I'm looking good with my weight this time," Bennett said.

"I'm sitting at 66 kilograms and I have to get to 63.5, but I'll do that easy because I'm in the best shape of my life."