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Tall, angular and possessing the wingspan of a middleweight, Derry Mathews has confounded most in campaigning as a featherweight for over five years. Despite struggling to make the nine stone featherweight limit, Liverpool’s Mathews believed the pain would all be worthwhile.
Following last September’s crushing defeat to Martin Lindsay in a British title eliminator, it appears logic has now prevailed. On March 28 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, Mathews will make his debut as a title-chasing super featherweight.
“I was at a point where I’d get to 9st 3lbs or 9st 4lbs (129-130 pounds) and it would kill me to get those last few pounds off and hit 9st (126 pounds),” explains Mathews, 21-2 (11) as a pro.
“I’ll make super-featherweight easy, 9st 4lbs won’t be a problem. I’ll be eating regularly and feeling a lot more comfortable at the weight.”
With the featherweight division a thing of the past, Mathews can now look forward to a title surge four pounds up. Nevertheless, one man remains on his radar.
”Hopefully Martin Lindsay goes on to win the British title now,” says Mathews. “You never know, Hayemaker might put me against Lindsay in a catchweight bout at some point in the future.
“I badly want to fight Lindsay again. He knows I was winning our fight – I think everyone knows that – before he caught me with a stupid shot.
“Take nothing away from Martin, though. He caught me with a cracking punch and he’s a great fighter. I hope he goes on to win the British title from Paul Appleby, because he’s a good lad inside and outside of the ring. I think he stops Appleby.”
Last September, Mathews and Lindsay waged a give-and-take war in Sheffield, which saw the lanky Liverpudlian floor his Belfast rival in the second round. Battling back and attempting to solve the Mathews puzzle, Lindsay uncorked a Hail Mary left-hook in the ninth round to defeat Derry.
Although crestfallen at the time, Mathews is now thankful for the loss.
“That knockout defeat has just given me the kick up the backside I needed,” admits Mathews. “I now know I’ve got to stay fully focused for 10 or 12 rounds. You can’t switch off for one second.
“I’m not taking chances anymore. I’m not going to let opponents off the hook and just box them. If my opponent is there for the taking, I’m going in to finish them off.”
Rather than working with a gas tank ticking on empty, the super featherweight Mathews may find more juice with the added four pounds.
“I think I’ll have more speed, more power and more energy,” he says. “When I hurt opponents, I’ll be able to finish them off quickly. I won’t have to maintain my energy and just box my way to the final bell. I’ll be able to let it all hang out now.
“I know that when I box with someone and keep it long, there’s not a featherweight or super featherweight in the country who can beat me.”
Now part of a stacked division domestically, Mathews holds no fear. After all, though only 25 years of age, Mathews has already beaten Stephen Foster, Jr., John Simpson and Matthew Marsh as a featherweight.
“I’m aiming for the British title shot,” says Derry. “I want that British title by the end of 2009.
“There’s also the Commonwealth champion Ricky Burns, who I’d love to get a shot at. He’s boxing Michael Gomez next. Can you imagine a fight between me and Gomez in Liverpool or Manchester? It would be brilliant for the fans.”
Mathews’ dress rehearsal for a British title tilt takes place on March 28 at the Echo Arena, where he faces Harry Ramogoadi over eight rounds. He can’t think of a better venue to launch his super featherweight run.
“It doesn’t get much better than fighting at the Echo Arena,” admits Mathews. “Whether you’re boxing first or last, you know you’re going to have the whole of Liverpool behind you. All the Liverpool fighters on this show can’t wait for it.
“One day I’d love to win the British title in Liverpool at the Echo Arena.”
Derry Mathews faces Harry Ramogoadi in his super-featherweight debut at Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’.
Setanta Sports will screen the Echo Arena bill live on Saturday March 28.
To purchase tickets to Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ visit www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400.
