BoxRec

http://www.icliverpool.co.uk

FORMER British featherweight champion Jamie McKeever has set his sights on city rival and newly crowned WBU world champion Derry Mathews.

And the 27-year-old Birkenhead battler dreams of marking the 10th anniversary of his first pro fight by recreating one of Merseyside's most celebrated fight nights in 2008.

McKeever turned professional on December 3 1998 - the night Merseyside stood divided as Shea Neary clashed with Andy Holligan in Stanley Park.

And McKeever is confident that similar interest would be generated by a clash with Mathews, whichcould be staged at the new King's Dock Arena.

McKeever, who takes the first step back on the road to championship action in London tonight, added: "I have tons of respect for Derry Mathews, he took his shot and deserves the rewards.


"He's a terrific boxer, but this is a business and so , of course, I'd love to fight him for the title.


"I'd love to box him here in Liverpool and I'm sure we'd sell out anywhere - but it would make sense to wait for the new Arena."


McKeever tasted the flavour of an all-Merseyside title fight four years ago, when his thrilling double-header with Tony Mulholland packed out Everton Park Sports Centre - twice.


"Me and Derry is a fight that the whole city would be interested in watching," he added. "Just look at Neary-Holligan and even the two nights I fought Tony Mulholland - those nights could have been sold out three or four times over.


"Nothing gets bums on seats like a derby-style title fight and me against Derry would be a cracker."

First, however, McKeever accepts he has to get back into the title frame after being halted inside a round by Ugandan Jackson Asiku in a Commonwealth title fight in June.

But McKeever refused to be depressed by the defeatand instead felt inspired by the performance and improvement of the African champion.

He said: "Going into the Asiku fight Iwas going through the motions, but I've come back a much better fighter for it. I'm not bitter about it.

"Losing to Asiku opened my eyes again. I went back and looked at every aspect of my training and preparation and made changes for the better.

"I should be reaching my physical peak in 2007 so I intend to have a big year. My promoters have assured me of another title shot next year and I don't intend on letting them, or everyone who has supported me,down."

McKeever had hoped to face another Ugandan, Buster Denis tomorrow - but that match fell through last night.

He offered: "I was looking forward to fighting Denis as he has mixed with the best in and around the 9st limit .


"He held Steve Foster Jnr - who Derry beat to be crowned WBU champion - last year and a strong performance against him would have thrown me straight back into title contention."


But McKeever is confident that whoever steps into the breach will find themselves in against a former champion desperate to take over a wide open division.


He finished: "I watched the British title fight last week when John Simpson stopped Andy Morris on cuts and there was nothing there that worried me. Simpson is a good boxer, while Morris is just super-fit and I'd jump at the chance of winning back the Lonsdale Belt.


"But I believe I can go even further. I believe I could go for even bigger titles I just need to the opportunities and the right fights.


"Then, who knows? McKeever-Mathews - The Battle of the Mersey - does have a tempting ring to it."

Matthews will school him.

Plus Liverpool will want a Scouser to win, not some plastic Birkenhead Scouser.

Was Holligan just a tune up for Chavez?

Screw the WBU Derry should school Simpson for the British. 8)

McKeever has had his time. He'll always be an exciting fighter, but decent domestic level fighters have always beaten him. He's just too open to beat Matthews.

You could easily see Matthews making a mess of McKeever....but, by God, Jamie is plucky and would give his all (as usual).

There's worse matches to made than this. I just hope McKeever isn't looking at a payday here, rather than taking his career seriously after some heavy set-backs.

2008? Cant see McKeever going that long without taking a good hiding somewhere along the line.

2008 ? I just assumed they were talking about 2007. Good spot. That puts a different light on it.

They'll want to do it in the finished King's Dock Arena, no doubt. As others have said though, I'm not sure McKeever will still be a credible opponent for Derry at that point. We'll see.

Mathews vs. Simpson for the British title would be good, but he'll probably fight Morris again first and lose it to him instead.

I think McKeever is just about acceptable for Matthews now, but not in 2008 (if Matthews keeps improving).... although I see only one winner.

Wouldn't mind seeing McKeever tackle John Simpson though.

Another setback for Jamie. He lost to Ryan Barrett over 10 rounds on Sunday.

He lost handily too given the scoring, he has little left to offer it seems. Always gave value for money, maybe he should just call it a day.

http://www.icliverpool.co.uk

Dream is over for McKeever

By Nick Peet

JAMIE McKEEVER’S hopes of an all-Mersey showdown with WBU world champion Derry Mathews has hit the canvas.

The former British champion lost a 10-round British title eliminator at London’s York Hall, losing by six rounds to Thamesmead’s Ryan Barrett.

Referee Ken Curtis scored the contest for the British Masters crown, 99-93 in favour of the home fighter.

And McKeever had no argument about the score.

He said: “Barrett’s a very busy fighter. I was forcing the pace of the fight but he was a bit too clever and boxed very well.

“I was walking into silly shots and I think I made it a bit easy for him. I thought I would walk him down eventually, but he stayed strong and stuck to his gameplan. I didn’t box well.”

At Saturday’s weigh-in, Barrett needed a couple of attempts to tip the scales inside nine stone, and McKeever thought that would be telling in the second half of the fight.

But the lanky Londoner, who prepared in Spain, stayed strong and never allowed McKeever the room to step up a prolonged body assault.

The Birkenhead scrapper added: “He struggled to make the weight but by the time the bell went he looked huge. He stayed the course well, but I have to accept that I never really got going enough to push him.


“I would love a rematch, but I have to accept that isn’t going to happen.”

With only one outing in the last 11 months – a first round stoppage defeat to Commonwealth king Jackson Asiku – McKeever looked ring rusty from the opening bell and struggled to break inside rangy Barrett’s southpaw jab.

Giving almost four inches in height, McKeever knew he had to get inside Barrett’s slick boxing and work away at the midriff in order to take the fight out of the boiled-down natural super-feather.

But Barrett, 24, proved too slick and refused to allow an early run of rounds advantage slip.

McKeever said: “Again, I am my own worst enemy and I am accepting big fights when rusty. What I need to do is go away and get a couple of six round wins under my belt.

“I am still only 27 and I can come again. I still feel like I have a lot to offer the fight game and I will come back from this, but I know I’m not making things easy for myself. I refuse to give up. If I can get busy this year I’ll be ready for a fresh title fight by the end of 2007.”

Good win for Barrett, rather he stayed at superfeather though. He must be like a skeleton at 9st.

Maybe Jamie could aim for a central area title, but would he be able to motivate himself?!

Derry would of spanked him! He wouldn't of got that fight.

Jamie seems to have motivated himself for the Central Area title and fights Stephen Bell for it on Saturday.