by Alistair Hendrie

If Curtis Woodhouse and Derry Mathews’ frequent sparring sessions are anything to go by, their September 21 bout at the Liverpool Olympia should be a domestic classic.

The Coldwell Boxing stable-mates will do battle for Mathews’ Commonwealth lightweight title on a Sky Sports card promoted by Eddie Hearn in association with Dave Coldwell.

And Woodhouse, 19-5, expects fireworks after a string of behind-closed-doors thrillers with Mathews.

“We used to get standing ovations from everyone in the gym after sparring together,” he remembered. “You can tell from that it’s going to be a great fight, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from sparring Derry, it’s that he hits hard. Whenever you think he’s hurt he just comes back.”

Woodhouse continued: “Both of our strengths are that we’re fierce competitors - just like Derry, I never know when I’m beaten until either the final bell goes or one of us is knocked unconscious. Although we’re good mates and I’m sure we’ll go for a few beers afterwards, from the first round onwards I’m going to punch him as hard and as often as I possibly can, and I know he’ll be doing exactly the same.”

Indeed, in July, Woodhouse’s punching power was never in question when he stopped Joe Elfidh, knocking his flustered rival to the canvas in all three rounds.

On the same bill at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium, Mathews was outboxed by Tommy Coyle for nine lopsided sessions, but in the tenth he mustered a left hook from the depths of hell to secure a dramatic victory.

Still, Woodhouse won’t be dwelling on his opponent’s last fight. “I can’t learn much from it because I’m going to fight Derry in a completely different way,” he explained. “Tommy used a lot of movement on the back foot – fast hands, combinations, in and out – but my style is completely different. This time it will be me putting the pressure on.”

The Driffield fighter wisely stated: “It’s just a case of getting the tactics right. I’ve got to use pressure but it has to be educated pressure. There’s no point in just winging right hands down the middle, I’ve got to try to slip, slide, move my head and get inside. Once I’ve done that I’m going to look to take him out. I’m training for twelve torturous rounds but if it ends early, that’s a bonus.”

Meanwhile, the former English light-welterweight champion is also planning on writing an autobiography. “It’s definitely in the pipeline,” he confirmed. “I’ve had productive meetings with three publishers and they’re all saying they’re interested. I’m not going to bring it out just yet because this would be the point where the book starts to get juicy. Physically and mentally I’m at the peak of my powers, and I feel this is just the beginning of my journey.”