Derry Mathews talks ahead of much-awaited domestic rematch with Anthony Crolla

By Boxing News - 03/13/2013 - Comments

BOXINGBy Ian Aldous: Saturday March 30th will see the Echo Arena in the city of Liverpool host a big night for British boxing when Tony Bellew main events in a WBC light-heavyweight final eliminator against Isaac Chilemba. Just as important is the chief support fight in which Derry Mathews (32-8-1) will face Anthony Crolla (25-4) for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title in a rematch of what was surely the British fight of the year in 2012. Last week, Derry took some time away from training to talk with me about the fight.

Two weeks ago on the set of ‘Ringside’, the weekly hour-long show dedicated to boxing, broadcast by Sky Sports, Mathews and Crolla amicably sat side-by-side as they chatted with hosts Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson about the fight. It was a clear indication of the respect both men have for each other and it was also great to see two fighters not have to disrespect one another to ‘hype’ a fight. “We don’t have to sell the fight. I think the fight (card) sold 10,000 tickets already. It’s not worth being on national TV and slating each other. I’ve got a lot of respect for Anthony and I hope he’s got the same for me. I’ve got a lot of respect for his whole team actually; he’s got a good trainer in Joe Gallagher. Come fight night, I think the respect goes out of the window until after the fight.”

The first battle between these two northwest rivals occurred on April 21st of last year. It took place in Oldham, which was very much home territory for Crolla. Going into the fight as defending British champion, Crolla was down in the third and eventually stopped in the sixth under huge pressure from Mathews (although referee John Keane probably stepped in a little prematurely), who claimed the British lightweight title. “I didn’t get off to a good start in the first fight, they (commentators) said he was in control, but you know, I didn’t get out the blocks quick enough. This time I’ve got to get out the blocks quicker, start faster and that’s what I’ve been working on with my coach and everything’s going good.”

Having won the fight in impressive fashion, how does Derry intend on approaching the rematch with someone he shared the ring with only eleven months ago? “I know what Anthony is gonna bring to the table, well, I don’t know everything. He’s gonna bring something different but I’m gonna have an answer for it. With me getting the win last time, confidence is gonna be high and he’s gonna be a bit down because I hurt him with every shot I landed last time. This time, I’ve worked on new stuff. That weren’t the right Derry last time, I only had six weeks with me coach last time and this time I’ve had twelve weeks to prepare. I’ve been in America, sparring. I’ve been over in Spain doing me mountain running and everything is clicking into place now.”

The rematch was a fight that the British fight fans craved and a fight that was relatively easy to put together. How often do you hear that in this political sport of ours? “To tell you the truth, Dave Coldwell (Coldwell boxing promoter) got the fight on and it was gonna happen on his undercard. Eddie Hearn (Matchroom boxing promoter) approached us and all of a sudden it’s happening live on Sky TV. So, I’m delighted with that. It’s gonna showcase me and Anthony and we both wanted the fight. A lot of people are saying that last time, I was lucky, so this time I wanna go out there and prove that I’m a better fighter than him. He can move down a weight then because he was talking about moving down to super-featherweight, but this fight came along and he took it. Come fight night, I wanna get it into his head that he needs to move down a weight because I’m gonna be the boss at this weight.”

As previously mentioned, the original bout took place on Crolla turf. This time it’ll be firmly in the heartland of Mathews and his army of loyal fans in Liverpool. Having won away from home, it would be easy to side with Derry and predict a home win. “Once the bell goes, we’re on our own with 10,000 scousers going mad, it’s gonna be absolutely crazy in there. I’m looking forward to it more than I’ve looked forward to any fight, because there hasn’t been a better arena to fight at (Echo Arena) and at the moment Liverpool is the hotbed for boxing, so to be chief support in front of 10,000 people is exciting me. Am I under pressure and have I got a lot of fans going? Yeah I have, but Anthony is under pressure as well. We’re fighting for the vacant (Commonwealth) title and it’s one I’ve never boxed for. I’ve boxed for every single title apart from a Commonwealth, so I’m delighted that it’s on the line.”

Throughout his eventful career, 29-year-old Derry has been a huge fan favourite and massive ticket-seller. He’s been reported to have sold as many as seven hundred tickets by himself for a show. “I was on a lot of Ricky’s (Hatton) undercards starting off, so I got a good fan base there. This time, I think Matchroom gave me four hundred (tickets) or whatever and I haven’t been in Liverpool for twelve weeks and they’ve already gone! They went in two weeks and I tried to apply for more but they wouldn’t give us none, so it’s good ticket sales.” Other than for being an exciting fighter, why does he sell so many tickets? “I just get on with everyone. I’m just a normal lad who has done well out of boxing. I get on with everyone and I’ve got a lot of time for everyone. I’ve got a lot of respect for everyone who buys tickets; they’ve all got normal jobs like meself. They spend the money to come watch me fight and without them us fighters wouldn’t be paid to do our job.”

To help prepare for the March 30th fight, Derry spent some time training at the world famous Gleason’s gym in Brooklyn, New York. “Me and the coach and trainer were on the underground going to Gleason’s Gym and you get butterflies going to the place and then when you walk into the place, it’s just a different world. It’s got four rings in it, eighty-nine trainers and you train alongside Zab Judah, Yuri Foreman, loads of world champions and then a normal fella off the street can just be on the bag in a white vest and a pair of shorts. That’s how it is, there’s no superstar material in there, you just go in and everyone pays their subs. I worked well with the coaches and they’re coming over for the fight, so I’m delighted with that.”

So, the winner of this fight would likely see another big fight up next. Derry has already worn English, British and WBU belts as well as having fought for European and IBO championships. He’s been a professional for over ten years and has a plan for his future in the sport. “I’ve set meself a target, I wanna be British and Commonwealth (champion) and I wanna box for the European title before Christmas. That’s me aim. If that can come off then I’ll be delighted. Emiliano Marsili, who I lost the (IBO) world title to, he’s fighting for the vacant European (title), so if he wins we’ve agreed on terms and I speak to him a lot on facebook and twitter. He’s gonna pick me for a voluntary defence and I don’t mind traveling to Italy.”

Matchroom Boxing in association with Coldwell Boxing presents: No Retreat – No Surrender: Bellew Vs. Chilemba on Saturday March 30th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, live on Sky Sports HD. Tickets are priced at £30, £40 and £60 from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and the Echo Arena website. £100 ringside and £150 VIP tickets are available from Matchroom Boxing on 01277 359900 and at Matchroom Boxing’s website.



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