Derry Mathews gunning for Paul Appleby

[Neri]

www.icliverpool.co.uk

DERRY MATHEWS says he will happily travel to Scotland to prove he is still Britain’s number one featherweight.

The former WBU world champion, who lost his title and unbeaten record to Mongolian Choi Tseveenpurev in April, insists he is more determined than ever to become a genuine world champion, but first has his sights set on the British title.

Edinburgh stylist Paul Appleby is the current Lonsdale Belt owner after he wrestled the title from countryman John Simpson just last month.

But Mathews, who returns to the ring with a tough international scrap in Liverpool next weekend, has the young Scot in his sights and is hungry to win the British title outright.

“If I have to go up to Scotland, to his home town, to beat him then I will. That doesn’t worry me,” said ‘The Golden Boy’.

“He deserved his victory over Simpson last time, but I beat Simpson a lot more convincingly than that.

“The Paul Applebys and John Simpsons of this world don’t worry me. I believe in myself, I know I am the best nine stone fighter in the country and I want to win that British title.”

Before losing to Tseveenpurev, his first defeat in 21 fights, Mathews was knocking on the door for a shot at one of the top four governing bodies’ world titles.

The 24-year-old added: “I’d love to end my career having held a series of belts and the prospect of winning and then defending the British title three times so that I can keep it forever is something I’d have always regretted.

“Now I have that chance again and Paul Appleby and the rest need to know that Derry Mathews is back - bigger and stronger than ever before.”

Also in action on the 11-fight undercard are stable-mates Stephen Burke and Joe McNally, Huyton lightweight John Watson, ‘The Kirkdale Kid’ Joe Ainscough, middleweight Graham Delehedy and Southport cruiserweight Mike Stafford.

And former ABA flyweight champion Paul Edwards will make his professional debut.

[THEBUTCH]

Dirty Derry is having a laugh. He didn't beat Simpson anymore convincingly IMO and also employed all his usual dirty stunts.

If there's a decent referee in control, Dirty Derry will find it tough going beating Appleby.

[Max Molyneux]

Dirty Derry is having a laugh. He didn't beat Simpson anymore convincingly IMO and also employed all his usual dirty stunts.

If there's a decent referee in control, Dirty Derry will find it tough going beating Appleby.

Only fight I've seen him foul In was the Simpson fight, he was pretty clean In the Foster and Marsh fights.

[salaco]

This would actually be a good scrap, they are both rubbish but equally so

[Horse]

Good on Mathews if he wants to go for the British title. There are plenty of good domestic fights to be made at the weight.

[Neri]

I think Matthews-Appleby would be a genuine 50/50 fight. Both are very far from "rubbish". Both are young and Derry will come back better after his loss to Choi i'm sure.

[salaco]

I think Matthews-Appleby would be a genuine 50/50 fight. Both are very far from "rubbish". Both are young and Derry will come back better after his loss to Choi i'm sure.

Fair enough, neither are very good, they are certainly british class but will never amount to more than that. I would think most would agree.

[Horse]

Fair enough, neither are very good, they are certainly british class but will never amount to more than that. I would think most would agree.

That hardly makes them rubbish. I also think that both have a decent chance at European level.

[Neri]

I think Matthews-Appleby would be a genuine 50/50 fight. Both are very far from "rubbish". Both are young and Derry will come back better after his loss to Choi i'm sure.

Fair enough, neither are very good, they are certainly british class but will never amount to more than that. I would think most would agree.

Right now I would agree with that class but time is on both fighters sides with regards to improvement. I'm a bit biased because of location, but I'm hopeful Derry can at least do something at European level.

[salaco]

Fair enough, neither are very good, they are certainly british class but will never amount to more than that. I would think most would agree.

That hardly makes them rubbish. I also think that both have a decent chance at European level.

I don't think neither of them match up with the better fighters who have been "british class" in the last few years. Neither have a decent chance at European level although Appleby has a better chance to reach that level.

[Neri]

Fair enough, neither are very good, they are certainly british class but will never amount to more than that. I would think most would agree.

That hardly makes them rubbish. I also think that both have a decent chance at European level.

I don't think neither of them match up with the better fighters who have been "british class" in the last few years. Neither have a decent chance at European level although Appleby has a better chance to reach that level.

Have you seen the Euro fighters around at feather right now? There isn't very much talent about to be honest. It's not impossible to see both Matthews and Appleby challenging for the EBU title in the near future.

[salaco]

Have you seen the Euro fighters around at feather right now? There isn't very much talent about to be honest. It's not impossible to see both Matthews and Appleby challenging for the EBU title in the near future.[/quote]

Had a look at EBU ratings, point taken, its pathetic; I would agree that either could challenge, although I would favor a more seasoned Appleby to challenge sucessfully. I just don't see matthews progressing into anything better than he already is.

[kerrminator]

How you can say Appleby will never amount to much is a bit of a bold statement. He has just become Scotlands youngest ever Lonsdale belt winner with only a handful of bouts under his belt. He has a whole career ahead of him and imo he already looks better than some guys at that stage who went on to be world champs.

Appleby clearly has talent, his defence could do with a bit of work but thats mainly because he just wants to entertain the fans with a war. He visited Freddy Roach's Gym and Freddy was very impressed with the youngster and he was sparring with some of Roach's fighters and looked good in the process.


Rubbish indeed

[Max Molyneux]

A bit, his defence was awful against Simpson, he was walking Into shots to land his own and I thought Simpson won a close decision.

[kerrminator]

I had Paul by 2 or 3 points but as he is only 20 years old I there is plenty of time to learn as he goes. As it stands I can see him winning the Lonsdale belt outright. One things for sure, he wont be taking any easy route unlike young Amir.

[whiskey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0R7Nx76wkc

Appleby would beat Derry Mathews.

[kevo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0R7Nx76wkc

Appleby would beat Derry Mathews.

If the fight is at Featherweight, then you're probably right. Matthews looks terrible at the weight.

[THEBUTCH]

There's a lot of shite being said about Appleby.

If he never progresses any further for the rest of his career, then maybe some of it stands up, but the guy has been seriously fast tracked at such a young age and is already British Champion with a solid win over a decent champ.

I don't think we've seen anywhere near the best of what Appleby might achieve in the years to come.

[leforge]

Appleby will beat Derry.

[Captain Hook]

http://www.icliverpool.co.uk

DERRY MATHEWS says he will happily travel to Scotland to prove he is still Britain’s number one featherweight.

The former WBU world champion, who lost his title and unbeaten record to Mongolian Choi Tseveenpurev in April, insists he is more determined than ever to become a genuine world champion, but first has his sights set on the British title.

Edinburgh stylist Paul Appleby is the current Lonsdale Belt owner after he wrestled the title from countryman John Simpson just last month.

But Mathews, who returns to the ring with a tough international scrap in Liverpool next weekend, has the young Scot in his sights and is hungry to win the British title outright.

“If I have to go up to Scotland, to his home town, to beat him then I will. That doesn’t worry me,” said ‘The Golden Boy’.

“He deserved his victory over Simpson last time, but I beat Simpson a lot more convincingly than that.

“The Paul Applebys and John Simpsons of this world don’t worry me. I believe in myself, I know I am the best nine stone fighter in the country and I want to win that British title.”

Before losing to Tseveenpurev, his first defeat in 21 fights, Mathews was knocking on the door for a shot at one of the top four governing bodies’ world titles.

The 24-year-old added: “I’d love to end my career having held a series of belts and the prospect of winning and then defending the British title three times so that I can keep it forever is something I’d have always regretted.

“Now I have that chance again and Paul Appleby and the rest need to know that Derry Mathews is back - bigger and stronger than ever before.”

Also in action on the 11-fight undercard are stable-mates Stephen Burke and Joe McNally, Huyton lightweight John Watson, ‘The Kirkdale Kid’ Joe Ainscough, middleweight Graham Delehedy and Southport cruiserweight Mike Stafford.

And former ABA flyweight champion Paul Edwards will make his professional debut.

If he does fight Appleby I hope he gets beaten. I've always seriously disliked the guy, he's completely deluded and that was some beating he took.

[black panther]

But you know styles make fight fights and though I'd prefer to see an Appleby victory, I can envisage Derry outboxing Appleby. Choi is an unbelievably strong looking featherweight - built like a brick sh*thouse and a different fighter entirely than Appleby. Appleby is a great prospect but perhaps the british title has come too soon? Instead of good learning fights he'll have to face some tough challenges as champion.

[Twinkle Toes]

Dirty Derry has found his level, and I think this would be a close fight.

Got to favour Appleby though, he just looks a better prospect than Mathews

[Captain Hook]

I totally agree.......good luck to him