Mathews delighted by world title tilt

By Chris Walker

Derry Mathews sits alone.  His bumped and bruised face rests upon his numbing hands as he recalls what the previous thirty minutes have done to him.  The loneliness soon evaporates as familiar faces accompany Mathews and moments later the likable Liverpudlian is cracking jokes in an effort to lighten the grim mood that has overcome his dressing room.  Friends, family, and a portion of the fight press are alongside Mathews now and it at this moment that the man they call “Dirty” can put into words exactly what transpired earlier tonight.

Three years ago, Mathews held realistic world title aspirations.  Along with then promoter, Steven Vaughan, the pair were embarking on the big league and all that was preventing Mathews from occupying a decent ranking amongst the governing bodies was unheralded Italian, Emiliano Marsili.  The unbeaten Roman had built his ledger against a roster of names that failed to intimidate, but, from the moment the first bell rang, it became apparent that Marsili was one of European boxing’s best kept secrets as he stopped the local favourite in seven rounds.

I shook Mathews’ hand and arranged a chat the following day, that conversation took place about 8am the next morning.  “I’m packing in, mate—what a journey,” was the line that Mathews opened with as he swiftly reflected on his setback at a congested Liverpool Olympia 10 hours earlier.  This news shocked me; it wasn’t something I agreed with as I still believed Mathews had plenty to offer.  Marsili was a serious visitor who had skill in abundance and there was no shame in losing to such a classy operator.  However, Mathews’ retirement was short lived.

Mathews’ injuries from the fight faded and so did trainer, Oliver Harrison.  The Salford coach had been instrumental in bringing Mathews back from a nine-month sabbatical in 2010, but with an unlikely British title shot confirmed against Mancunian rival, Anthony Crolla, confirmed, Mathews looked elsewhere.  As well as his fire returning, so did an old friend, and three months later, British boxing fans were treated to the domestic spectacle of 2012 as Danny Vaughan inspired Mathews to a career best win over his Northwest nemesis.  With the British title in his possession, Mathews was back on the championship radar he frequented the decade before and his popularity was soaring.

“That win over Crolla brought me so much satisfaction and it was probably the springboard that got my career going again in all honesty and it was all down to Danny Vaughan,” revealed Mathews.  “Reuniting with Danny was just something that felt right and although I had a great relationship with Oliver, Danny is the man who is just able to get that extra 10 percent out of me.  He’s been there with me since day one and even when I was with Oliver, he was still on hand to provide advice.  I went to Oliver because I felt I needed a change at the time, but the second I was back with Danny just felt right and I feel the decision has been a correct one with the results I’ve had since.”

The Mathews/Vaughan partnership is a unique one.   Mathews rose to prominence about this time 10-years ago; his early path to glory was guided by Vaughan and his legendary father, George.  Dad and Lad built a superb stable that housed multiple champions and amongst them was WBU featherweight king Mathews.  A haunting run of results throughout 2008 and the following year forced Mathews away from the ring and his return in 2010 was briefly masterminded by the aforementioned Harrison.  With Vaughan controlling the ship since the Crolla win three years ago, Mathews has spent the following period adding further titles to his profile.

A rematch with Crolla didn’t mirror the first result as the pair couldn’t be separated, but emphatic victories over Curtis Woodhouse, Martin Gethin, and Adam Dingsdale have seen Mathews claim British, Commonwealth, and minor WBA title reckoning.  That run of form has brought a major reward as Mathews gets a dream world title shot against impressive Cuba, Richar Abril, at the Liverpool Echo Arena on March 6th.

“It’s amazing what’s happened to me,” marvelled Mathews.  “I’m just a lad from Liverpool who absolutely loves boxing and now I’m fighting for a world title in my home city.  There’s been a big boom for boxing here recently and I’ve been so excited when some of the lads I’ve grown up with have been fighting for world titles and now it’s happening to me.  This is my first shot at a world title and if I didn’t have Danny in my corner then I’m pretty certain it would be my last.  We’ve spoke briefly about the plan and what we need to do and I’ll be going to Marbella again to get everything in place.  He’s already sorted sparring, so I’ll just leave everything in his hands and do exactly what he tells me.  If I do that then I’ll be world champion on March 6th.”

The road to Abril has been a long and winding one for Mathews, for Vaughan, it has been even longer.  It was October 1994 when he first stood by his father’s side in the corner as Paul Wright lost over ten rounds to Stephen Wilson in an eliminator for Joe Calzaghe’s British title.  Since then, he has overseen many great nights on Merseyside.  On March 6th, he may be part of the greatest.