By Elliot Foster

Derry Mathews has thrown down the gauntlet to one of his division’s rising stars.

The Liverpool lightweight has been out of the ring since dropping a decision to WBO world champion Terry Flanagan in March but is preparing for his return.

Mathews, 32, has a more-than-respectable ledger of 38-10-2 (20 KOs) and has talked about adding to that record, potentially against undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Felix Verdejo.

Verdejo (22-0, 15 KOs) is the WBO Latino champion and the number two-ranked contender in the division with that governing body.

And ‘Dirty’ Derry, having never been one to shirk away from a challenge, has expressed an interest in travelling to face the 23-year-old.

I’d love a fight with Felix Verdejo,” Mathews told Livefight’s John Evans on Tuesday. “A few have mentioned it to me in the past. When I went to Las Vegas I got asked if I’d ever go back there to fight him.”

“I haven’t seen too much of him. I’ve heard a lot of talk from people saying he’s this big puncher and he’s selling out the small room at Madison Square Garden at the moment and Top Rank have got him so he must have something about him,” said the man who also holds a stoppage win against current WBA ruler Anthony Crolla, who he has also drawn with.

“I’d be happy to travel and go over there to take him on.”

Mathews had intimated in the aftermath of the defeat to Terry Flanagan that his career was coming towards the end, tweeting that it was “the end of the journey,” but after an energising break and a trip to Las Vegas to work with BoxNation for Canelo-Khan in May, he is more than ready to lace up the gloves again –– as long as the fights he is in are meaningful.

“I’d rather fight him or another big name. I want somebody who’s dangerous and I want to be involved in great fights and he’s a great fighter,” Mathews continued.

“I’d dive at the opportunity and I think my management team [MGM Marbella] and my trainer [Danny Vaughan] would accept it if it was offered to us too.

“I don’t want to go back to doing six- or eight-rounders.”

There are arguments that for all of Verdejo’s star quality, skill and finesse in the boxing ring that, to date, he has yet to be hit or properly tested.

Mathews would provide Verdejo with the acid test to show us whether he is cut out for showdowns against the best in the division with the likes of aforementioned Manchester duo Flanagan and Crolla, among others.

But Mathews doesn’t think Verdejo is ready for the big fights and has questioned his experience.

“Has he ever been in with anybody experienced?” Mathews asked. “I could really test him. If they want the fight they only have to pick up the phone and ring Frank Warren or MGM and we’ll accept it any day of the week.

“If he’s looking for somebody for September and he wants a good name –– somebody who has been the distance with Flanagan and beaten Crolla –– then I’m here and waiting. It’s a real test for him.”

Mathews has never boxed in the States as a pro, despite going there with the Salisbury ABC vest on as an unpaid fighter in the amateur game, but wants to tick the box before the end of his career.

He said: “This would be the icing on the cake. I’ve had a great career but maybe this could lead to a few more big fights. I’ve done everything.

“I’ve won massive titles, travelled as an opponent and entered Prizefighter twice. I’ve been beaten and come back to beat them.

“It’s been a rollercoaster and this would be another great moment. Let’s see what happens.”