DERRY Mathews aims to get back on top of British boxing next month after landing a shot at the European lightweight title, courtesy of Twitter!
The former WBU world champion has bagged a crack at Wales' Gavin Rees in Cardiff on July 23rd thanks to an enquiry he made on the popular social networking site.
Mathews was due to face city rival Stephen Jennings in an English title assignment the week after, with tickets for the Greenbank Sports Centre already having sold out.
Yet after seeing a post from promoter Eddie Hearn online, he threw his name into the frame to face the Welshman.
Derry revealed to Mersey Gloves: "I follow Eddie on Twitter and seen a post saying he was travelling to Wales to fix up a title defence for Gavin Rees to go live on Sky, so I just messaged him and offered my services as an opponent. Next thing you know he was on the phone.
"It's an exciting fight, two former world champions, and it's a fight I've worked hard to get too. Like Gavin I've tasted defeat, but I've proved that there is plenty of fight left in me yet and rebuilt my career.
"Winning this European title will get me back where I was once, in fact it will get me higher, and I can't wait to fight Rees in his home town.
"I'll take a few coaches down there and we'll bring that belt back to Liverpool for sure."
Mathews also revealed one of the first people he contacted was Jennings.
"I contacted Jenko right away and told him our fight was off," Derry adds. "Naturally he was a bit disappointed but he totally understands that you just can't pass opportunities by - plus he'll still fight for the English title, they'll just get him another opponent.
"It's funny, I've know Jenko for a long time and we were both getting into fight mode and starting to have a little pop at one another. But we had a laugh about it when we spoke and, who knows, perhaps one day we'll get that fight on. The fans certainly wanted to see it if the ticket sales are anything to go by."
For now though only one man is in Derry's mindset, Gavin Rees.
"He's a veteran pro and very, very strong and so I certainly wont underestimate him," adds the now 28-5-1 former champion. "But I feel like this is destiny for me. I've worked so hard and been so low after suffering a string of defeats but now I am back and, believe me, Derry Mathews mark two is ten times better than the original."
* For ticketing information visit Derry's Twitter or Facebook page.
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