Boxing: Derry Mathews must hurdle old rival for title unification

Feb 20 2008 by Mark Staniforth, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S WBU champion Derry Mathews has chance to unify the world featherweight titles later this year if he comes succeeds against a long-running rival in his third title defence on April 5.

Mathews will go toe-to-toe with former champion Steve Foster Jnr.

Mathews beat Manchester’s Foster at the MEN Arena in October 2006 to become champion.

But he will have hurdle him again on Grand National Saturday – this time at Bolton’s Reebok Arena for Amir Khan’s WBO lightweight title eliminator against Martin Kristjansen – in order to land a shot at WBO champion Steve Luevano.

Mathews, who expects to move up to number two in the WBO ratings today, said: “I’ve been talking about fighting Luevano for his belt for months now. That’s a fight I really want and a fight that can be easily made.

“However, Sports Network want me to go back in with Foster first and, although I see it as a backwards step, if that’s what it’s going to take to get me where I want to be then I’ll fight him again.

“I spoke with Frank Warren over the weekend and he assured me that the Luevano fight can happen this year, so he’s my long-term target.

“This is going to be a huge year for me, the biggest of my career so far and nothing, not even Steve Foster, is going to get in my way.

“I am flying in the gym. I’m fitter than I ever have been this early in my training and I honestly believe that Foster is making a big mistake getting in with me again.

“I won every round against him when I took the title from him and I was only 22, I was still a boy, really. But now I am a man. I’m stronger, fitter, better than I was the last time we met and he’s going to find that out in Bolton.”

Mathews, who saw off Georgian prospect Nikoloz Berkatsashvili in one round in his last outing three weeks ago, added: “I only had 10 days off after my last fight, and I was fit enough to do 12 rounds then. I’m way ahead with my training and by the time April 5 comes along I’m going to be in the shape of my life.”

Meanwhile, Amir Khan has backed his former amateur team-mate Frankie Gavin to go one better than the Bolton youngster managed in Athens four years ago and strike Olympic gold in Beijing.

Khan insists Gavin has the tools to reach the top of the podium and pave the way for a lucrative professional future.

The 22-year-old Gavin will head to Beijing as the favourite in the lightweight division after a series of stunning displays in Chicago in November saw him crowned the first ever British world amateur champion.

Khan said: “When I won the silver medal I was just 17 years old but Frankie has had the benefit of four extra years in the amateurs so it is no surprise to me that he will go there as the favourite.

“Frankie is a stylish and slippery southpaw who will make it difficult for anybody. I sparred so many rounds with him over the years and I never had any doubts how good he was going to be.

“What Frankie has achieved is amazing for amateur boxing in this country and it is inspiring for the rest of the team. We will be taking our strongest team in years out to Beijing and I hope to get out there to support them.”

Khan has rocketed through the professional ranks since returning from the Olympics and signing with Warren. But although his rewards have been great, he insists Gavin should think carefully.

“If Frankie comes back from the Olympics with a gold medal he’s going to be deluged with offers like I was. But I took my time and had some more amateur fights, and did it at what was the right time for me.

“Frankie has got to think about himself over the next few months. He will be part of a team in Beijing which will be a massive help, because I was the only boxer there and I don’t mind admitting I got a little bit bored. It will all be an amazing experience for Frankie but I think he’s the kind of guy who will relish the challenge and provided he doesn’t get distracted by everything else that is going on, he will do okay.”