Mathews Reunites With Trainer Vaughan For Crolla Fight

Derry Mathews insists he wouldn’t have agreed to face Anthony Crolla unless Danny Vaughan returned to his corner.

The Liverpool ace (29-6-1) had been trained by Oliver Harrison, but was re-united with former handler Vaughan for Saturday’s challenge against British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla (23-2).

Mathews, 28, set up training camps in Scotland and Spain ahead of his test against Crolla at Oldham Sports Centre.

He said: “I am back with my old trainer, Danny Vaughan and that is the reason I took this fight. I got offered it and if Danny had said ‘no’ to training me I wouldn’t have taken the fight. I have been away, had great sparring, prepared right and everything is going good.”

Mathews is the underdog when he faces the improving Crolla, but promised: “From the first bell to the last it is going to be non-stop action. I know how good Anthony is and I am expecting to face a good, strong, fit opponent and I haven’t looked past him.”

Other Contests: Matty Askin v Jon Lewis Dickinson (10x3 vacant English cruiserweight championship and British title eliminator), Stephen Foster Jr v Jose Antonio Elizabeth (6x3 super-featherweight), Jazza Dickins v Yuri Voronin (6x3 super-bantamweight), Lucas Browne v Paul Butlin (6x3 heavyweight), Adam Little v Chris Jenkinson (6x3 welterweight), Tommy Stubbs v Gavin Reid (4x3 bantamweight), Ryan Doyle v Selected Opponent (4x3 featherweight).

Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets are on sale. They are priced at £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling the Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com.