Weights From Liverpool: Mathews 134 Lbs., Luis 134 Lbs.
Apr 17, 2015 • 10:47 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
It was an long and exhausting journey just to secure an opponent in order for Derry Mathews to remain on the April 18 bill at Echo Arena in Liverpool. With Canada’s Tony Luis answering the call on a few day’s notice, the fight is on for this weekend, with both fighters making weight for their lightweight clash.
Mathews and Luis each tipped the scales at 134 lbs.
The night was originally intended for Mathews (37-9-2, 20KOs) to face visiting lightweight titlist Richar Abril, which actually was a rescheduled affair. The two were due to meet on March 6, only for Abril to request a postponement due to injury.
History repeated itself, with Abril once again withdrawing on short notice. The news didn’t sit well with the World Boxing Association (WBA), who informed the Miami-based Cuban that his title reign is on hold until he can provide a clean bill of health and willingness to fight.
The intention was always for Mathews to remain on the card, on a night that represents his first crack at a major title.
While Abril's actual belt isn’t at stake on Saturday—Darleys Perez was upgraded to WBA “regular” lightweight titlist—an interim version will be on the line for Saturday. Mathews was prepared to face knockout artist Ismael Barroso, only for the unbeaten contender to have to withdraw himself due to not being able to secure a travel visa abroad.
Instead, Barroso—promoted by Greg Cohen—was moved to a show in Minnesota, which takes place tonight and was originally to include Luis (19-2, 7KOs). As Cohen promotes both fighters, the ability to switch assignments helped salvage this card.
Luis enters the fight on the heels of a two-fight win streak, including a minor upset in a surprisingly one-sided points win over previously unbeaten Karl Dargan in January.
Saturday's bout —which headlines live on BoxNation in the United Kingdom—marks Luis' first both for a major title (even one of interim variety) and outside of North America.
FULL WEIGHTS
Derry Mathews, 134 lbs. vs. Tony Luis, 134 lbs. - 12 rds, lightweight
Ian Butcher, 116 lbs. vs. Brett Fidge, 118 lbs. - 8 rds, bantamweight
Liam Smith, 153 lbs. vs. David Romero, 152 lbs. - 12 rds, junior middleweight
Stephen Lews, 142 lbs. vs. Reece Smith, 142 lbs. - 6 rds, junior welterweight
Joe Selkirk, 159 lbs. vs. Yuri Pompilio, 152 lbs. - 8 rds, middleweight
Josh Leather vs. Ryan Hardy - 6 rds, junior welterweight
McCauley McGowan vs. Arvydas Trinzo - 4 rds, junio middleweight
Andrew Cain, 114 lbs. vs. Patrick Bartos, 115 lbs. - 4 rds, junior bantamweight
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
