Derry Mathews will definitely not be in the opposing corner when Watson challenges for the soon to be vacated Lonsdale Belt on Saturday, February 12th - as he already his his eyes on the world stage.
Less than a week after his IBO International title success against Scott Lawton at the Liverpool Olympia, the Mathews camp have confirmed they are already in extensive talks with Australian's former world champion Gairy St Clair.
The Guyana-born St Clair held both the IBO and IBF super-featherweight belts back in 2006 and has mixed in solid world class throughout his well-travelled 54-fight career. His 42-10-2 record is littered with household names, including his brave challenge against Amir Khan in a Commonwealth title fight in London back in 2008, which went the full 10 rounds.
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| Derry Mathews proved he's got plenty left at the top level with his revenge victory over Choi in Prizefighter recently |
He is a typical Ghanaian fighter, with a great chin and super work rate - an opponent that promoter Stephen Vaughan is convinced will appeal to Merseyside fight fans.
The weekend of April 22nd/23rd has already been booked at the Olympia - which if all goes to plan would leave any prospect of a Mathews-Watson derby day showdown on hold until the summer at least.
Coming back to Watson and the British Boxing Board of Control were expected to approve current champion Gavin Rees' plans to relinquish the belt in a meeting at their HQ in Cardiff today. Once approved promoters Matchroom Sports aim to confirm Watson's opponent for the mandatory challenge.
Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves has confirmed he will feature on the undercard in three weeks, but it will not be with a defence of his domestic title - rather an international eight-rounder.
Former British title challenger Stevie Williams and Nick MacDonald are also included on the Sky Sports card -which should get signed off over the weekend.
Nick Peet
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