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Derry Mathews on ‘war’ footing
DERRY MATHEWS' return fight with Steve Foster Jnr is certainly going to be explosive – judging by the fireworks at yesterday's Press conference in Bolton.
The WBU featherweight champion and the former title holder from Salford exchanged heated words ahead of their world title showdown, which will take place at the JJB Arena on Saturday, April 5.
After announcing that the 12-round contest would not only be for Mathews' WBU belt but also be an eliminator to fight for the WBO crown later in the year, all questioning stopped as the two fighters hurled threats at one another.
And the commotion wasn't strictly restricted to the two boxers either when, at one point, Foster's father verbally abused a journalist after he became unhappy with the line of questions.
After Foster Jnr was complimented on his performance against Alex Arthur last time out – he lost out on points despite dropping the Scottish super-featherweight star in the 11th round – the fighter was asked whether it was wise of him to attempt to get back down to nine stone.
Foster hasn't made the featherweight limit since he lost the title to Mathews 16 months ago and he was asked whether he would struggle to get his frame back down again.
However, Foster Snr took offence and directed abuse at the questioner, before stating that Mathews had “won the lottery” the night he beat his son and that Foster was “out of the fight from the third round, because of an injury.”
“You should have pulled him out then, if he was hurt,” Derry fired back.
But then Foster Jnr joined in, too, demanding: “I'll fight you right now if you want, out side. I'll go to war with you.”
Smiling, Mathews added: “If you want a war I'll go to war with you. I'll box your head off again, you wait and see.”
Meanwhile, Amir Khan sat between the two featherweights to promote his own WBO world title eliminator on the bill, and was needed to separate the pair during a photo shoot.
Thankfully, things calmed down afterwards, and Foster Jnr – without his father – spoke more rationally.
The 27-year-old, who has lost just twice in 26 pro fights, said: “The last time we fought I had a few problems but I'll be mentally right to fight this time.
“I've taken a lot of confidence from my performance against Arthur and don't worry about my weight. I've always been a natural featherweight. I just moved up last time as the opportunity to fight him was too good to refuse.
“Sometimes when the opportunity arises you have to go for things and now the opportunity to fight Mathews again has come up.
“We can bounce off each other, me and Derry. I gave him the opportunity to fight me and now I have the opportunity of a return.”
However, despite the Foster camp's claims of their fighter being ill-prepared and injured in October 2006, Mathews is confident that they will come up against an all together different champion than they did back then.
The 22-year-old said: “I was a boy when we fought last time, but I am a man now. I was only having my second fight at nine stone when I beat Steve. Now I am much stronger.
“I am looking forward to it. Last time people said that I boxed his head off for the 12 rounds and I believe I won every round.
“As you can see he is hungry for the fight and I know that I will have to produce the performance of my career to beat him, but come the night of the fight I'll be up for it, too.
“That shot at the WBO title is like a carrot on the end of a line for me, and nothing is going to stop me getting to it.”
