STEPHEN 'SWIFTY' SMITH Q&A

After bagging British and Commonwealth featherweight titles after just a dozen pro starts, former white hot amateur star Stephen Smith was widely touted to advance to major international honours.

However, after a shock loss to Barry's Lee Selby in front of his home crowd last September, the popular Scouser has re-grouped and is on a mission to avenge the loss and reclaim his titles.

Smith returns to action this Saturday night in Munich, Germany, on the undercard of Dereck Chisora’s WBC world heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitshcko in an eight-rounder against Arpad Vass.

What are you hoping to get out of the exercise?

"I’m fighting a Hungarian, Arpad Vass, over eight-threes. Apparently he’s won seven of nine and stopped five. (The 25 year old was outpointed over six by Belfast flyweight Luke Wilton and stopped in two by ex John Murray victim Andriy Kudryavtsev). It’s an opportunity to get back to winning ways, become a winning fighter again.

"It’s an absolute privilege to be on such a huge bill and it’s going to be great experience. It’s a bill I’d like to be at as a spectator so to actually be part of it in a small way adds to the incentive. There’s going to be a lot of people watching so it’ll be an ideal platform to announce that I’m back, then push on from there.

"I boxed overseas many times as an amateur, often against hostile crowds so I’ll not be fazed by going to Germany. I boxed in front of sell out crowds every day at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre when I won the Commonwealth Games in 2006.  It’s far more exciting, more motivating, than boxing down the undercard of some British show. I have to prove that last time was just a blip and none of the ambition has gone out of me."

The loss of your British and Commonwealth belts to Lee Selby last September (KO round 8) wasn’t supposed to happen; given it was a voluntary defence in your home city. How do you account for it? It appeared as if you were trying too hard to satisfy the Liverpool crowd. Did you underestimate Selby?

"No. I rated him. I knew he’d be tricky and long limbed. It was never going to be easy. I’ve still got every confidence I can beat Lee Selby because I knew it wasn’t me in the ring that night. If I’d performed, and Lee had just been better, I could accept that but I wasn’t a tenth of what I could be. No disrespect, but I’ve beaten far better fighters than Lee Selby in the amateurs.

"If you remember, I was primed to defend the titles on July 9th (beneath Murray-Mitchell) but, when that show was put back a week, I couldn’t appear because it was our Paul’s wedding and I was best man. The fight was re-made for five weeks later which wasn’t enough time to take a break to let my body rest and recover, and it told on the night.

"If you under train, you can still knock out four or five decent rounds but, having over trained, I felt dead after just two. I had no legs. I’d have preferred to have boxed him but, with nothing happening in my legs, I decided to try and grind him down but it backfired. He was hitting me with jabs I could blatantly see coming and normally would’ve avoided easily.

"There’s nothing much I could’ve done differently. It was just circumstances."

You were on the wrong end of a bad knockout. What affect did it have on your confidence?

"It didn’t dent my confidence or self belief but it hurt my pride and I felt very embarrassed. I’ve never even been over before in my life and I took far bigger shots earlier in the Selby fight. I took too many shots all night but seriously didn’t rate Selby, power wise. The kinockout was purely through exhaustion.

"On the Monday following the fight, I went on holiday to Tenerife for a week but, on my return I dreaded going out for a week, for fear of bumping into fans on the street. Everyone in Liverpool gets behind our fighters and I felt I’d let ‘em down.

"Facing the lads back at the gym was easy. They all understood. Our Paul, who I’ve always really looked up to, has had a couple of similar setbacks but he was the perfect big brother; put his arm around me and gave sound advice."

On the comeback trail... Liverpool's Stephen 'Swifty' Smith

Have you ever had to comeback from such a devastating loss before, in the amateurs?

"Nothing of that magnitude but, when I first moved up to feather back in 2005, I lost three fights consecutively, to Alex Tischenko, the reigning world and Olympic champion, to France’s Daouda Sow, who went on to get silver at 60 kilos at the Beijing Olympics, then to a Swede, in Sweden. That last one was a real bad decision. Nothing was going for me. With the 2006 Commonwealth Games looming, I knew I had to get my act together and won 20 of 21, including the ABA title and Commonwealth Games. The only defeat was in the European Seniors semi-final so I’ve proved my character before."

The Selby loss was your second start under Manchester coach Joe Gallagher. He was criticised after but you were quick to defend him. What has he added to your make-up as a fighter?

"I felt very sorry for the stick Joe took because it definitely wasn’t his gameplan for me to walk Selby down, taking shots. As I say, I just didn’t feel right in my body. I defy anyone to have won, feeling as I felt. I knew my spark wasn’t there in the dressing room but what fighter would pull out at that stage?

Joe’s added more to both my attack and defence and the quality of sparring at his gym, with the Murrays, Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg, is different class."

What are you hoping to achieve in 2012? A return with Selby? How would the outcome be different?

"Provided I come through in Germany, I’m due to fight Ben Jones for the WBO InterContinental title at the Troxy in London on March 2nd. That’s up at super-feather but I’m still a feather; just taking the job to keep busy.

"I want to climb back up the ladder and I want my British and Commonwealth titles back. And I want to get them from Selby, I definitely want him back. I didn’t have to fight him. It was a voluntary defence so I’d like to think he’d be enough of a gentleman to give me a chance. Anyway, he’s as much to prove that, it wasn’t a fluke as I have. I believe Frank has options on us both so it should be easy enough to make. He’s long limbed and very awkward but nothing I haven’t seen before."

Do you still feel that a world title is a realistic expectation or has the Selby defeat made you re-assess your goals?

"Yes, a world title is still my ambition. You have to aim high but I intend getting there by following short term goals. I’d like one (fight) to get the rust off then I’m more than willing to fight Selby or whoever anytime after that.

Right now, I’m not looking beyond anything other than getting my titles back. I’ll not rest until I’ve got ‘em again."

* Stephen Smith’s return and Dereck Chisora's WBC world heavyweight title challenge against Vitali Klitschko can be seen live and exclusive on BoxNation on Saturday 18th February from 8pm.

DODSON HAS SURPRISE FOR McKENZIE

Tony Dodson laughed off the fact he needed a second trip to the scales for the first time in his 13-year career ahead of tonight's Commonwealth light-heavyweight showdown with Ovill McKenzie in Manchester.

Liverpool's former British super-middleweight champion was initially 3oz over the 12st 7lb championship limit, but returned minutes later half a pound inside before saying: "I think I’ll have to invest in some new scales in our house. When I left, my weight was perfect."

He added: "This is nothing to worry about. I made the weight easily and both myself and Ovill look in great shape. It's going to be a good fight while it lasts, and I am supremely confident of taking the belt home to my son at the end of it.

"I have a few surprised up my sleeve and a lot of people are going to be shocked at the performance I produce. I've always been a strong boxer but perhaps have become a little more renowned for my heart and my willingness to stand and fight in recent years. But tonight people will see the real Tony Dodson.

"Camp has gone great, I'm in great shape and I am ready to go to work. For those lucky enough to have tickets in Manchester this will be a performance to savour, while those at home watching on BoxNation are going to enjoy every minute. This will be a defining performance in my career."

Tony Dodson looked trim on the scales yesterday

And what a career it's been. After turing professional back in the summer of 1999, Dodson went on to capture an array of titles, including the Lonsdale Belt, yet many believed that father time had closed in on his 28-6-1 career. Back to back defeats, albeit in fight of the year candidates to local rivals Tony Quigley and Paul Smith, left Dodson stirring into a career abyss. But he's rebuilt himself up at light-heavyweight and is currently on a four-fight winning streak. 

McKenzie represents a step up in class compared to that crop, howeve,r and tonight, once again, represents a major crossroads occasion in the career of one of British boxing's most beloved characters. "I know at 31 that my chances are growing increasingly small, but I also now that I'm doing things now that I haven't done for years," added the 'Garston Warrior'. "Since moving to Oliver's Gym in Salford I've found my love for boxing again and Ovill McKenzie is going to find that out when the bell goes."

McKenzie, meanwhile, captured the Commonwealth belt by knocking out Welsh prospect Jeff Evans in just 15 seconds in Halifax in November and 'The Upsetter' will enter the ring as firm favourite for his first defence. However, he suffered back to back defeats of his own against another Scouser, Tony Bellew, before finally claiming the Commonwealth strap – the latter of which was a systematic 12-round beating in July. Did that performance provide Dodson with a blueprint to defeating one of the most dangerous stalwarts in British boxing?

Tonight's undercard also features to other Merseyside stars. St Helens' former British bantamweight champion Gary Davies, back in the ring for the first time in 14 months, aims to return to the glory trail. While Liverpool-based light-heavyweight, Courtney Fry, is gunning for a massive performance of his own in an attempt to secure a shot at the winner of the main event.

* Tickets are still available on the door at the Bowler's Arena, while the event is also televised live on BoxNation tonight from 6pm.

MATHEWS vs MARSILI: FULL EVENT REPORT

By Elliot Foster

'Dirty' Derry Mathews came up short in his quest to become the new IBO world lightweight champion and, at the same time, only the second Liverpool fighter to win a world title at two different weight divisions at the Olympia last night.

The 28-year-old put up an incredibly strong challenge throughout but failed to become the first man in 25 fights to defeat Emiliano Marsili, who showed dazzling handspeed en-route to a seventh round referee’s stoppage.

And there was further disappointment on the Scouse-packed underard as chief support Steve Harkin lost a British Masters and Central Area title challenge against Doncaster’s Jason Ball. Harkin, like Mathews, put up a brave title assault, but similarly was left bloodied and bruised by the visitor, also being rescued by the third man in the seventh round.

 The evening began so positively for the capacity home crowd as well. Lightweight novice Joe Tonks extending his pro record to 4-2 against Kristian Laight, coming through a close fight that had a concerned home crowd on the edge of its seat from the get go. Ultimately it was the sheer volume of punches Joe was raining in that persuaded the referee to hand him the decision by a margin of only one point (39-38).

Manchester’s Lyndon Newman went toe-to-toe with Steve Spence of Scunthorpe in the night’s second contest. With both fighters going all out and giving it their all leaving the referee was left with another tough decision to make on his scorecard. On this occasion, determining a winner proved impossible and both arms where raised after the final bell for a 39-39 draw.

Teenage lightweight southpaw Tommy Carus boxed the head of Crawley character ‘Rocking’ Robin Deakin for four rounds in the next contest to run away with a whitewash 40-36 points score.  Carus, 19, had too much in every department for the visitor as he doubled his pro tally. Yet that didn’t stop Deakin entertaining the home support by bizarrely remonstrating about the result and asking ringside fight fans for their views.

‘Baby Faced Assassin’ Paul Butler kicked off the live on BoxNation portion of the fight card by running away with a points victory after eight rounds with Bristol’s Michael Ramabeletsa. The talented super-flyweight, from Ellesmere Port, came out all guns blazing and was boxing his opponent into the ground early running. But Ramabeletsa showed great heart to withstand the onslaught despite looking like a safe bet for an early shower in the opening rounds. Butler won every round , reflected in the referee’s 80-72 scorecard but his bloody nose and eye – which required stitches afterwards – showed how much he had to work to come through undoubtedly the best test of his blossoming 6-0 career so far.

Before the ttle action got underway it was up to Oliver Harrison’s newest recruit to show his home fans what they’ve been missing after what was ultimately a frustrating 2011. Joe Selkirk is one of the first names on every Merseyside fighters’ lists of favourite boxers and is ne of the most natural talents the city has produced in decades. But his stop-start career is spoiling his professional prospects; his sole outing in 2011 a first round knockout of Terry Carruthers at the Echo Arena in July.

And that ring rustiness showed here against game Middlesex man Ryan Toms. Ultimately Selkirk’s class told as he forced the referee and doctor into pulling out the 30-year-old late in the fifth round. Even a far less than best Selkirk proved to big a puncher for Toms, who had a huge haematoma over his right eye which gave the referee and medical officer little choice than to pull him out.

It was then Harkin’s moment of glory. After assembling a tough 5-2-2 record this joint British Masters and Central Area title opportunity was surely the best the keen light-middleweight can conquer. Yet all rounder Ball, whose own 4-5-1 record puts him at a similar level, had other ideas. The last time the Yorkshireman fought at this venue he was defeated inside the distance by local MMA star Paul Sass, when he was moonlighting in his other pro fighting profession as a cage fighter. Yet it was his turn to celebrate an early night here.

After raining in right hands through the seven rounds, eventually referee Phil Edwards stopped the fight 58 seconds into the seventh round. And despite some complaints from the home corner, the stoppage was spot on. Harkin was getting hurt. The 28-year-old Ball ultimately proving he was just a class above game Harkin. Following the fight, Harkin confessed: “I’m going to take a couple of weeks out to consider my options, but I did say when I got back into the dressing room that that loss was me finished.”

Derry throws a rare jab against Marsili. Pic by Conor Roberts

So the stage was set for Mathews to repair the night for the vocal home fans. As he walked to the ring for this vacant IBO world title matchup it was a case of standing room only at the Olympia which appeared to have far more in attendance than it’s 1,600 capacity. However, in front of his small pocket of travelling fans it was Italian Marsili who went home with the belt and his unbeaten record in tact. And he deserved to do so.

The man from Civitavecchia took the opening round after going out on the front foot and picking off Derry with the same combination, a slick right faint left cross which appeared to land flush on Mathews’ chin at will. The home team’s gameplan clearly appeared to be to counterpunch the visitor, but by the end of the first round it already seemed clear that tactic was not going to work. Marsili’s lightening fast hands where even too much for the overhead lights, which briefly went out to delay the start of the second.

The delay did nothing to slow Marsili’s title charge however, as he continued to close the distance with ease and bully Mathews, who started slowly and hesitantly, throughout the second three minutes. A change in tactics was urgently required and thankfully it arrived in the third, as Mathews landed a big right hand to rock Marsili onto the ropes following, finally, some dictation from the left jab. It was all the excuse the home fans needed to get on their feet and show their appreciation.

But that jab, and perhaps Mathews’ best chance of victory, once more disappeared in the fourth round and after a clash of heads up against the ropes opened up a cut on Derry’s left eye Marsili’s confidence once again went through the roof. Before the end of the round and strong uppercut rocked Derry onto his heels and also broke the same nose that led to his failed European title challenge in October.

Despite the blood however Mathews came back to win the fifth round after throwing bunches of punches after driving Marsili back onto the ropes with a smashing overhand right. Derry swarmed in for the finish, but the Italian rode the storm – around a 20-punch combination – and looked strong as he headed back to his corner at the bell, while Mathews’ face was awash with blood and he was sucking in deep gulps of air through his mouth, with his nose now spread from cheek to cheek.

That effort took its toll in the sixth and suddenly the writing was painted all over the Olympia walls. Marsili was still firing on all cylinders and simply reverted back to the right faint left cross combination which served him so well in the early exchanges to enflict more damage. Meanwhile, Derry, roared on by the loving home support, was bravly gritting his teeth and swinging away. The roles had once again reversed; the hunter had once again become the hunted.

A great uppercut left to the body combination from Marsili left Mathews on one knee near to his own corner in the latter stages of the sixth, but he dug deep once more to see the round out and was rewarded with a huge ovation at the sound of the bell. But the finish was coming.

After being rocked in a neutral corner and visibly sagging on his feet, Mathews stumbled up against the ropes in front of promoter Steven Vaughan yet as Marsili closed in referee Howard Foster took the brave decision to end the contest. Derry naturally wanted to continue. It was a controversial stoppage, but the referee showed compassion to prevent Mathews from suffering  any more punishment.

Afterwards Derry said: “I’ll go away now, have my Christmas dinner and have a little break with my family. I won’t make any decision on my future right now, but I put a lot into this fight, made a lot of sacrifices, yet I was beaten by the better man on the night.”

Two final local prospects signed the night off with a pair of wins for those brave enough to stay behind. Debutant Mick Philips and lightweight prospect Andy Colquhoun, now 2-0, both running off with clear points victories to complete a memorable night for Merseyside boxing.

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.

PRICE vs McDERMOTT: OFFICIALS CONFIRMED

The officials for this weekend’s British heavyweight title final eliminator between Liverpool's David Price and John McDermott have been confirmed, with the third man in the ring Howard Foster from Doncaster in Yorkshire. 

The three scoring judges, if required, are Phil Edward from Preston in Lancashire, Steve Gray from Fleetwood, Lancashire and finally Dave Parris from Tottenham in London.

Both camps are happy with the officials and are now looking forward to fighting on Saturday night (21st Jan) which headlines the '3rd Time Lucky' card at the Liverpool Olympia.

For the record, the steward in charge is Jeoff Boulter and both camps will not have to worry about a man in a blue suite with a funny hat popping up.

The winner will be next in line to challenge current British and Commonwealth champion Tyson Fury later in the year.

3rd Time Lucky is live on Sky Sport HD1 starting at 8pm and tickets are still available via www.frankmaloney.com.

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.