Mathews Back with a Bang by Mathew Tyrer Jul 20th 2008

Liverpool's former WBU world champion Derry Mathews got himself back on track on Saturday (19/7/08) with a win over previously unbeaten Kenyan champion John Gicheru. Mathews didn't have it all is own way and erased any doubts about his chin and power as he dug deep to dominate and punish the rough and ready African. From the opening bell Mathews had the crowd on its feet as he went flying in at Gicheru who stood at a towering 6ft 2ins, it was clear Mathews struggled early on to come to grips with the size of his opponent and after the fight he told reporters, ‘we (Mathews and coach Georgie Vaughn) got told he was only 5ft 5.' So Mathews found himself in unfamiliar territory boxing up for the first time in his pro career. And what doesn't brake you makes you as Mathews changed his tactics and proved what a class act he is by mixing it up and brought back memories of another former scouse world champion Paul ‘Hoko' Hodkinson. In a similar fashion to the unstoppable Hoko Mathews bullied his opponent back onto the ropes then threw his back leg around and pinned his man on the ropes before dishing out some punishment. After a cagey opening Mathews settled in the second and began to work the body of Gicheru before a clash of heads opened a cut above his left eye. Mathews then started using his jab to create the leverage for some devastating right hooks and right crosses. In the third Mathews suffered another cut from what looked like an elbow from the Kenyan champion as Mathews rolled under some straight shots. This cut was far more worrying for his corner than the first and the only blemish on an otherwise successful night. In the fourth Mathews was in control and a right hook to the body took the wind out of Gicheru who ambled back to his corner and looked distressed. With the Kenyan now struggling Mathews took his foot of the gas a little and continued to boss the fight. Mathews (now 21-1) took a few big shots on the way in but was never in any trouble and from the sixth onwards the fight was more like target practice for the Featherweight as he got eight rounds and a good win against a game opponent under his belt winning comfortably 80-71 on the scorecards. After the fight he told journalists that he was disappointed with the cuts but explained it comes with the territory saying ‘If you go swimming you get wet', he then reiterated his desire to take Paul Appleby's British Title away from him and said ‘I would prefer to go up to Scotland and take it off him in his own backyard.' Chief support for the Mathews 8 round international was rising star John ‘The Hurricane Kid' Watson. Watson is fast developing a name for himself and had promoters sat ringside drooling with an exceptional performance that will undoubtedly see his stock rise. Watson faced the tough and durable Ali Wyatt who has decent record and is renowned as a bit of puncher. Ali however didn't have the best of nights and suffered some terrible shots to the body from the powerful and precise Lightweight star. Watson didn't waste a shot and his efficient punching left his opponent swinging wildly at thin air as he could not get a glove on the former ABA champion. Watson's timing was impeccable and by the third round he started turning the screw on Wyatt (slipping to 4-6-2) who had not really been in any trouble up until then. What Watson (now 7-0) does is takes simple things and uses them so effectively that they look like complex combinations, for example when he comes in and takes his opponents vision out with stiff jabs before unleashing lightning quick combos to the body. It was one such combination that stopped Wyatt in his tracks and his corner were looking to pull him from the third. Credit due he went back out for more in the fourth but by the time he got back to his corner he could not even sit such was the pain and the fight came to an abrupt end, Watson's only disappointment will be the need for opponents who can go the distance with him as he looks to step up another level again. That step up may come against local Lightweight rival Stephen Burke for a central area scrap as both fighters seem keen for it to go ahead. Burke took on journey man Baz Carey over four rounds on a packed under card. Carey was up to his old tricks as he taunted the former England international from the first round. Burke (7-0) however did not take the bait and boxed his way to a resounding 40-35 win. In the fourth and final round Burke looked impressive after going through the gears in the first three. He worked his jab well and clearly favours the right hook to the body which left Carey wincing on more than one occasion. It will be an interesting fight with Watson if it goes ahead and maybe the shot in the arm the Liverpool fight scene needs. 2006 ABA Flyweight champion Paul Edwards made his pro debut against Robert Palmer. Palmer had the crowd in hysterics with his bandy legged performance. When Edwards eventually got hold of him he worked well and will be pleased with his first outing without a vest and head guard. Palmer however should seriously seek a different career path and ballet may be a wise choice if he ever finds out how to coordinate his feet. Light-Welterweight Amir Unsworth dominated Senol Davies over four threes. Unsworth looks good now moving to 6-0 and will surely be looking to prove himself against better opponents. At Cruiserweight Mike Stafford faced a familiar foe in the shape of veteran Paul Bonson. Stafford now goes five unbeaten but for someone who is talked of as a bit of bruiser he will have to start hurting people as his solitary KO does not look good on his record. Southpaw Stylist Joe McNally was far more impressive as he made light work of James Tucker over six threes. The Light-Middleweight local star once again put in an impressive shift which sent him to 5-0. Always in control against a tough opponent McNally never put a foot wrong and was unlucky not to finish his man off inside the distance although one suspects this will come if Joe goes onto to do eight and ten rounders. Scott Quigg kept his three fight stoppage streak going when he demolished Peter Allen at Featherweight. Quigg is now 9-0 with 5 KOs and will surely be looking to establish himself on the domestic scene after another impressive display. Rhys Roberts beat Sid Razak on points and speaking personally was a welcome change for me as I am so used to watching him take on game sparring partner Delroy Spencer over four grim rounds. Finally, the crowd was nearly treated to another fight as former ‘world' champion Robin Reed tried to take on a box full of local scallywags who had been tossing insults at the boxer turned ‘actor' all evening. Reed was however halted by the security staff but not before he had took his jacket off to reveal a sprayed on white t-shirt which added to even more jovial cries from the boisterous crowd.

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