Croydon Bomber Chas Symonds is primed to “go to war” on hated rival Michael Lomax when they fight for the British Masters Silver light-middleweight title later this month.

However, should the 32-year-old lose the rematch, he has announced he will retire from professional boxing.

The Londoners resume hostilities at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on March 21, on a night appropriately billed “Best of Enemies”.

Last time out, referee Bob Williams awarded Lomax the fight on points, a decision bitterly contested by Symonds.

Five months on the decision still rankles, and petrol has been poured on flames by what Symond’s regards as his opponent’s trash-talking, including calling Symonds “a dirty fighter”.

He said: “He [Lomax] has been saying things about me. I don’t know where he gets this from. He is in dreamland.

“We hate each other. He is arrogant and he thinks he is something special.

“This time I have to put the record straight. By round four to six, it will be over.”

He added: “If I lose I’m going to retire. It’s make or break. We’ll be going to war.”

Lomax offered Symonds a rematch following September’s bout, a gesture Symonds perceives as tacit acknowledgement from Lomax that he did not deserve the win.

Symonds even claimed at the time that Lomax’s wife was surprised at the ref’s decision, but the south Londoner is determined that this time the spoils of war will go to him.

“If he beat me, why is he asking for a rematch? I was robbed,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get in there. I have his number now and I am going to put it to bed. I’m 100 per cent confident.”

Symonds plans to take a vociferous army of supporters for the bout, with a crowd of around 200 expected to travel to east London to roar him on.

And Crystal Palace fan Symonds will also have Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon cheering him on from the sidelines.

However, the perceived injustice of Williams’ decision has added a rancorous layer to the build-up, with Symonds adamant he will not even step into the ring if Williams is in charge.

He said: “We are not too sure who the referee is, but if it is Bob Williams I won’t fight. He did it to me against Lomax, and he did it to me in the [Gavin] Tait fight.

“He robbed me on that one too.

“The winner between me and Lomax was supposed to fight for the Commonwealth title, and he got TKO in the first round and lost,” he added.

“That should have been me fighting. If I win this I want a Commonwealth shot or another big title.”