DERRY MATHEWS has delivered a chilling warning to British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla (23-2).

The Liverpool man (29-6-1) challenges for ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla’s cherished Lonsdale belt at Oldham Sports Centre on Saturday night (April 21).

He warned: “Anthony has never been cut, been floored and got up to win.

“He is like John Murray. He comes forward, is very brave but never been hit and that is what I am going to put to him.

“I am going to take him to places he has never been before.”

Mathews, 28, also insists he has not been troubled by a nose injury that has handicapped him in recent fights.

He challenged Gavin Rees for the European crown last October, but the fight ended in a technical draw because of unlucky Derry’s broken nose.

Cut also played a part in a setback against unbeaten Italian Ermano Marsili in January.

Mathews added: I have had excellent sparring with Alex Arthur and Steve Williams. I have done over 40 rounds and my nose has held up.

“I have had it checked by a surgeon and everything is all right.”

Other Contests: Matty Askin v Jon Lewis Dickinson (10x3 vacant English cruiserweight championship and British title eliminator), Stephen Foster Jr v Jose Antonio Elizabeth (6x3 super-featherweight), Jazza Dickins v Yuri Voronin (6x3 super-bantamweight), Lucas Browne v Paul Butlin (6x3 heavyweight), Adam Little v Chris Jenkinson (6x3 welterweight), Tommy Stubbs v Gavin Reid (4x3 bantamweight), Ryan Doyle v Selected Opponent (4x3 featherweight).

Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets are on sale. They are priced at £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling the Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com

Tags: Anthony Crolla , Crolla-Mathews , Crolla vs Mathews