By John MacDonald

BoxingScene.com understands that Derry Mathews is set to challenge Richar Abril for the WBA lightweight title on March 6 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.

 

Sources revealed that a deal to stage the bout has been agreed by both parties and will be formally announced on Thursday by promoter Frank Warren.  If the bout takes place, it will be the second world title fight on the card as former IBF bantamweight champ, Paul Butler takes on Zolani Tete for the IBF 115 lbs strap.

 

Mathews, 36-9-2 (19 KOs), will look to add a world title to his collection that already includes British and Commonwealth titles.  Mathews is currently ranked 8th in the world by the sanctioning body on the back of wins over Martin Gethin (SD 12) and Adam Dingsdale (UD 12), picking up the WBA Continental title in the process.

 

Abril, 19-3-1 (8 KOs), was due to face Mathews’s former rival Anthony Crolla on January 23 before Crolla sustained a fractured skull as he attempted to prevent his neighbours being robbed.  With Crolla ruled out, Frank Warren has swooped in to secure the world title shot for his fighter. Abril will return to Europe for the second time in 6 months having claimed the scalp of—the then-unbeaten—Edis Tatli (MD 12) in September.