By Elliot Foster

Derry Mathews is confident that he will get another shot at a major belt in the sport, despite suffering defeat last weekend.

The Liverpool lightweight was on the end of a reverse for the 10th time in his paid career on Saturday (March 12) when he challenged WBO world champion Terry Flanagan (30-0, 12 KOs).

Mathews gave everything in a bid to add that coveted world title to his list of 20-plus title fights in a glittering 50-fight roadshow.

And afterwards, with the disappointment just setting in, the 32-year-old (38-10-2, 20 KOs) thanked his fans via social media before alluding to the fact that it “could be the end of the journey.”

But after some reflection time and a day on the booze with the lads, Mathews has had a change of heart and has confirmed that he will remain in the sport for the foreseeable future.

“I’m going to go again,” he told Adam Catterall of Fight Disciples.

“I’m going to sit down with my manager [Daniel Kinahan], my trainer Danny [Vaughan] and [promoter] Frank Warren, hopefully some time next week, and then plan the next move.

“I’ve proved that I belong at that level, on the big stage and in the big fights and fingers crossed that Frank can deliver again.”

Flanagan, from Ancoats in Manchester, had stoppage victories over his previous six opponents before last weekend’s North West showdown with Mathews, having won the title against José Zepeda with a two-round retirement in June and blasting out Diego Magdaleno within the same timeframe just four months later.

Despite defeat, though, Derry is optimistic that he can get back to the top table when it comes to the lightweight division.

He continued: “[Frank Warren] told me on Saturday night that there are going to be doors opening for me, so hopefully one of the other champions might pick me as a voluntary defence and, if not, we could see whether the European title is available or maybe a final eliminator for one of the other titles.”

The European title that Mathews talked about is currently held by Edis Tatli (26-1, 9 KOs) and the Finn will defend the crown against Massimiliano Ballisai (20-2, 12 KOs) on Friday (March 18).

“People close to me told me I was good, the missus told me I boxed well and my trainer agreed that I did well, but I’m here now and I feel like I should be a champion.

“But I lost the fight and I’ll have to go back to the drawing board and see what opportunities come in.”