DERRY TALKS BURNS AND UNIFYING TITLES

By Elliot Foster Jnr

Derry Mathews has admitted a world title unification showdown with Scotland’s Ricky Burns could well be on the agenda if all goes to plan this weekend – and he makes history by becoming the first Scouser to win world titles in two different weight divisions.

Mathews tackles unbeaten Italian Emiliano Marsili for the vacant IBO lightweight world belt on Friday night, in front of a hometown crowd at Liverpool’s Olympia theatre. And the former WBU featherweight ruler is also quick to praise those that have helped him get his career back in track.

The 28-year-old realises he still has it all to do against the imported southpaw, who boasts a lethal 23-0-1 record, yet he can't resist looking into the future after what he described as a ‘perfect’ fight camp.

“Ricky Burns has been mentioned, but not quite yet because he has a fight in March too,” offered Derry, when asked about what could be next if he manages to become the first man in 24 starts to defeat the Italian. “As you know, I’d never pull out of a fight. I’ve never ducked anybody; I’ve always taken the hard route. All the work that I’ve had to do has helped me in my return and where I am now. If a fight like that is offered to me, I’ll be the first to snap it up.”

Derry Mathews is in great spirits ahead of his IBO world title chance this weekend

He added: “I have a fantastic team behind me. On my return from retirement, I sorted out a mind coach in Brian McReady, somebody to fix my mind back on to boxing. I also have – in my opinion – the best coach in the world in Oliver Harrison and a great promoter in Steven Vaughan, and I just hope I can continue in the future the success that I’ve enjoyed most since making these changes.”

Never one to upset his fans or family inside the ring, Mathews is the same outside of it also, and as has almost become custom he also offers some reward for the coaches he’s left behind. “I left George and Danny Vaughan, as everyone knows, which was a hard decision for me to make because they were like a father and a brother to me. “But that decision, and my decision to take a break from the sport has all helped towards my return and moved me to where I am now.

“I’m in a better place now both inside and outside the ring, and on Friday night I get my reward for that hard work and the changes I put in place. I don’t intend on wasting all that effort when the bell rings.”

With Joe Selkirk and Paul Butler also now added to the exciting fight card, that was already packed out with plenty of talent raised on the Banks of the Mersey, Friday night’s show looks likely to be a raucous occasion.  

The action will also be screened live on TV courtesy of BoxNation, to which Derry acknowledged: “I’m delighted with it. It’s great for the added exposure of the small hall shows. I’m also delighted that Vaughan Boxing stuck to their word and I’ve stood by and believed in them from day one.

“Fighting on a Frank Warren show brings extra pressure. Added pressure than if it was any other promoter, as he is one of the very best in the world.”

* Tickets for Friday’s world title card are still available from the Olympia box office on 0151 2636633.

CHRIS KELLY LOOKING FORWARD TO PRO DEBUT

By Elliot Foster Jnr

Chris Kelly is living the dream right now. The former amateur talent makes his professional debut this weekend on the undercard of a champion he looks up to more than anyone else.

Top of the bill Derry Mathews aims to make history by becoming the first Scouser to win two world title belts, when he faces unbeaten Italian southpaw Emiliano Marsili for the vacant IBO lightweight title at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday night.

And Kelly, 23, who makes his first paid start in the light-welterweight division against the 32-year-old London journeyman Johnny Greaves, admits that debuting on Mathews’ undercard is like a dream come true.

As an amateur, Kelly had over 50 bouts, firstly in the vest of St Theresa’s ABC before switching to Kirkdale, yet he has always had a strong friendship with Mathews, who was himself a stand-out amateur star and former ABA champion.

“I look up to Derry a lot, like so many other fighters, and it will be great to debut on his undercard,” says the 23-year-old. “My training has gone really well, I’m in the gym at the moment keeping myself going and I can’t wait to get in the ring.

“I wasn’t very nervous last week as it still seemed so far away, but as the fight gets closer, I’m becoming more and more nervous. I am just hoping that once that first bell rings, all that will go away and will be able to get the job done.”

The fight also coincides with a switch of camps too. Kelly is keen to make the most out of all opportunities available and while securing this matchup he also revealed that a switch to Oliver’s Gym in Salford, where he will be able to work alongside Mathews daily, is on the cards.

Currently fighting out of the Vaughan camp, Kelly said: “Oliver Harrison is a master tactician and he’s also one of the best at training fighters at the weight I’m going to be boxing at. I know a lot of the lads up there already and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tickets for Friday’s world title card are still available from the Olympia box office on 0151 2636633.

DERRY'S WORLD TITLE FIGHT ON BOXNATION

Derry Mathews' IBO world lightweight title fight at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday 20th January, when he challenges Emiliano Marsili for the vacant belt, will be live on BoxNation.

The show will now be jointly promoted by Frank Warren and Stephen Vaughan Jnr, resulting with the card being televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456, Virgin Ch. 546).

 

Derry, the former WBU featherweight champion, was last in action in October when he challenged European lightweight champion Gavin Rees for his title, but the contest was ruled a technical draw after four rounds when a clash of heads left Mathews with a badly broken nose.

 

The 28-year-old had a good run this year before Rees, winning the IBO International title against Scott Lawton; the English title with a first round stoppage of Amir Unsworth and halting Stephen Jennings in the sixth round to claim the British Masters title.

 

Lazio born Marsili, ranked ninth in Europe, is the current Italian champion and is unbeaten in 24 fights, but this will be his first fight outside of his country.

 

"It's great to be the main event in my home city for this title opportunity and I'm going to win it in front of my fans,"  says Derry. "The fight will be live on the new UK fight channel BoxNation that has already televised some great fights this and I'm looking to put on a good show for the viewers against Marsili.

 

"I'm not expecting an easy night, he's unbeaten, he's away from home so all the pressure will be on me to perform, but I'll rise to the occasion."

 

Vaughan said: "It's set to be a cracking show featuring some of Liverpool's best up-and-coming talent and headlined by Liverpool's favourite son Derry Matthews. He's got a tough fight on his hands, but we've worked hard to get Marsili over here and now it's down to Derry to win the title on his patch."

 

Frank Warren added: "Mathews v Marsili is another good fight added to January's schedule that also features the British Cruiserweight title between Leon Williams and Tony Conquest with more fights to be announced."

 

Tickets are on sale now from the Olmpia box office on 0151 263 6633.

DERRY CALLS ON OLYMPIAN STALKER

By Elliot Foster, junior reporter

Beatles fan Derry Mathews is hoping for a 'little help from his friends' as he prepares for his IBO lightweight world title fight with unbeaten Italian Emiliano Marsili in January.

I caught up with Derry at Oliver's Gym in Salford on Friday and he admitted his preparations for the January 20th fight are "going superb." But he also revealed his sparring will step up a level after Christmas when he invites friend, Great Britain Olympian and 2012 medal hope, 27-year-old Tom Stalker to join his camp.

Derry said: "My preparation's been fantastic. I've been in training with Oliver [Harrison] already for around seven weeks. Training is going well and you only have to look at who I'm training alongside - Martin Murray , who come next week will be the new world champion. I'm also with the likes of Tony Dodson, Joe Tonks, Rocky Fielding and Karl Skeggs - we're just the Liverpool lads that come up to Manchester every day. At the moment the gym's buzzing and we're all bouncing off each other.

"But I need world class sparring too, to prepare me for such a tough unbtean opponent, and hopefully that's where Tom comes in. He's my first choice for sparring partner for this fight and I hope he's able to make it happen. I'm up against a tough opponent and I'm feeling capable of going out there and doing the job on my own turf, in front of my own fans."

Stalker will captain the Great Britain boxing team into the ring when the Games returns to London next summer. Like Mathews, a product of the renowned Salisbury ABC, the Huyton southpaw will be one of the nation's strongest medal hopes when the bells rings in the capital.

Tickets for the January 20th IBO lightweight title fight between Derry Mathews and Emiliano Marsili, which also includes an undercard packed with homegrown Scouse talent and 34-year-old American veteran Steve Forbes, are available from the Liverpool Olympia box office on 0151 2636633.

NEW OPPONENT FOR DERRY!

Derry Mathews' vacant IBO world title challenge on January 20th has been given a new look after a switch of opponent.

The former WBU champion will now meet Italian lightweight champion Emiliano Marsili at the Liverpool Olympia, after Russian star Alisher Rahimov was pulled from the bill. However, things certainly don't get any easier for the former 'Golden Boy' as Marsili also boasts an unbeaten professional record.

The veteran Italian is also a southpaw, while his 24-fight run is spread over an eight-year career and he will arrive on Merseyside riding on the back of a first round knockout in July. However, that was the man from Lazio's only outing of 2011, and his trip to Liverpool will also be the first fight he has ever had not on home soil.

Promoter Stephen Vaughan Jnr made the announcement via Twitter today, with former champ Mathews adding: "I'm gutted over Rahimov pulling out but now fighting unbeaten Italian."

The Olympia undercard features a wealth of Scouse talent, including John Watson, Nathan Brough, Steve Harkin, Joe Tonks, Andy Colquhoun and the pro debut of Chris Kelly.

Plus, former world champion Stevie Forbes is also mooted to be fighting on the card, in a fight that promoters hope will tee up a blockbuster showdown with Derry later in the New Year.

Tickets are available from the Olympia box office.

MATHEWS-JENNINGS FIGHT REPORT - BY ELLIOT FOSTER JNR

Derry Mathews lands a right to the body of Stephen Jennings

By Elliot Foster Jnr at Greenbank Leisure Centre

Derry Mathews is the new British Masters lightweight champion and firmly on track for a European title fight next after halting Merseyside rival Stephen Jennings in six rounds on Saturday night.
 However, enormous credit must also go to Jennings, who enhanced his career with his brave challenge.The former Junior ABA champion was victorious in defeat after going into such a high-profile fight so early in his professional career - this was just his seventh paid contest - but he found himself in at the deep end against the resurgent former world champion.
 The city was divided going into the contect, although fans from both corners, while being vocal and loyal, where extremely well behaved at Greenbank Leisure Centre.  As the two walked from their dressing rooms the small hall atmosphere was electric.
 Both boxers weighed in at 9st 8 1/2 lbs, half-a-pound under the 9st 9lb lightweight limit.
  In round one it was a punch-trading round, with both boxers measuring one another up and hitting meaningful punches as warning shots as what was to come in the latter rounds of the fight. Jenko swiped Derry with a left hook in the opening seconds, which set the tempo for the whole night.
 In round two, Mathews started to take control, but Jennings put up a good fight and matched Derry stride for stride and blow for blow.
 The third was a slightly quieter round than the previous two, with Mathews looking to be too much for Jennings; fighting a strong fight with good combinations to the face and body. He looked the more relaxed of the two Liverpool lads and that was showing in the ring.
 At the start of round four, Jennings was looking tired but still had the energy to give Derry a sweet right to the body, because of fatigue he was grappling for a time and was knocked to the canves from a clubbing right hook. Referee Steve Gray started the 10 count right on the bell to end the round. When he got to eight the brave Kirkby fighter vowed to fight on. Another big round for Derry, who had a point deducted for a punch to the back of Jenko's head.
  In round five, brave Jennings amazingly battled back and had Mathews on the ropes and gave him a one-two combination to the face. But the Salford-trained Scouser came back and knocked Jennings down for the eight-second count once more. Again Jennings vowed to fight on. Derry was then warned about the blows to the back of Jenko's head once more.
 Going into round six, Jennings, who had been taking strong instructions from a concerned Tony Quigley Snr in between the rounds, was simply looking to hang on. It was brave move and while he started well once more he still looked shaken. The man from Kirkby then should have had a point deducted himself for a blow to the back of Derry's head, but referee Gray soon had more pressing concerns as Mathews finished the fight by landing a drilling combo to the face. With ten seconds remaining, the refree waved the fight off just as the towel came flying in from the Jennings corner.

DERRY TWEETS HIS WAY TO EURO TITLE SHOT

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.