Derry Mathews says his trainer holds key to victory over Rees
Derry Mathews must truly be the biggest comeback story of the last twelve months. Just two years ago, at the age of 26, he was finished. Three consecutive stoppage defeats for the one time golden boy of Liverpool boxing led to his retirement. It was a decision that the fans respected and agreed with. Nobody wanted to see the popular Scouser get injured, he had given us some great nights; that was enough.
Fast forward a couple of years and ‘Dirty’ Derry is challenging for the European lightweight title against ‘The Rock’ Gavin Rees. Despite having to travel to the Welshman’s back yard of Newport on October 1st, Mathews is confident of victory. A lot of this is due to a fantastic camp, overseen by trainer Oliver Harrison.
“It’s been an excellent camp. Oliver has been giving me loads of one-on-one training and I am getting stronger all the time. The gym is on fire at the moment. We have Tony (Dodson) getting ready for his title shot, Craig Lyon is in 'Prizefighter' and he can definitely win that. And of course Martin Murray has got his world title shot against Felix Sturm. It’s great to be around here.”
Derry is fresh off a sixth round victory over Liverpool rival Stephen Jennings. With the Rees fight already in the pipeline, a lot of people were surprised he would take this assignment. Matthews however, had no qualms about facing off against his cross town opponent.
“You have to remember I am still learning. I knew I was going to win. That’s meant as no disrespect to Ste who is a good fella and a really good fighter, but I am on a higher level than him. This gave me a chance to work on a few things, fighting and boxing. This was a good tune up for Rees and helped me loads.”
Next up is that match up with Gavin Rees. The former world champion looked distinctly average last time out, when he won the vacant title against Irishman Andy Murray. After starting fast he faded badly in the second half of the fight, leaving many to think he was ‘there for the taking’. Matthews on the other hand, is expecting a hard encounter when the two eventually face off.
“I am expecting him to be back to his best. I think that was just an off night and we all have those. He is a great fighter but I also believe I am at that class. The difference for me will be having Oliver Harrison in my corner. He has Gary Lockett and Gary, although he used to be a really good fighter is an inexperienced trainer. Oliver knows the game inside out, that’s the key.”
For Rees, this is a voluntary defence, a sign that he actually fancies the job against Derry. Mathews on the other hand thinks it was only a matter of time before they had to fight anyway.
“I know I can do the job. I have a great trainer and I belong with the best. Another couple of fights I would have been mandatory anyway and he would have had no choice but to get in the ring with me. I have turned my career around and I have a lot of people to thank, Oliver, the Vaughans, my family. Now this is the big one.”
This may be a big night but for Derry it isn’t the end. There are dreams of a world title shot after this.
“All you need to do is look at European champions of the past and how they got title shots. People like Darren Barker have got that opportunity by getting this belt so hopefully, after the fight I can sit down with Matchroom and they can get me one. To be fair I don’t mind making a few defences as this belt is great, but I could get a voluntary shot. People will look at my record and say ‘five defeats, all by stoppage, I fancy that one’. Let’s get this straight; if I was an undefeated fighter I wouldn’t be getting this shot against Rees now. But that will be his mistake.”
For many, Derry even getting to this level is a victory in itself. For Mathews and his camp however that is not enough, and they intend to come home with that belt. Yes, he will probably have to go through hell to rip that title away from Rees, but it will be hard to back against Mathews. We have been wrong so many times before.
