Derry Matthews Set For a Hostile Reception in Stoke
By Terence Dooley
Liverpool’s Derry Matthews, 26, is stepping into the lion’s den this Friday night when he takes on Stoke’s favourite son Scott Lawton at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke. Lawton lost to John Murray in June; however, the 33-year-old is a former English title holder at lightweight and he will be a stiff proposition if he settles at super-featherweight, where Scott will campaign from now on.
Lawton, 26-5-1 (5) has also tussled with Amir Khan and Jon Thaxton, losing in four and seven rounds respectively, and the Stoke man told The Liverpool Echo that Matthews, who won the WBU title at featherweight, is in for a shock on Friday night.
“The Hattons asked me if I wanted to go straight in with a good opponent, or face someone else to try the weight,” said Lawton. “But I am 33 and have no shelf life left. I want to get there as quickly as I can with good opponents.
“Wherever I go, I always take a good following. Even if I don't have the same numbers as other people, they still manage to make more noise. Maybe all us Stoke people have big mouths, but it's good for me.”
The fight is part of the Lovemore N’dou-Matthew Hatton IBO welterweight title bill. Ricky Hatton, who promoters the event, believes that Lawton-Matthews will generate a crackling atmosphere.
“Scott Lawton is on the card and is a massive ticket seller. He has a very tough fight – a 50/50 fight – but if he wins that he will go straight into a British title,” claimed Hatton. “Whoever wins will fight for the Lonsdale Belt next.”
The bill will be shown on Sky Sports. Make a note of the start time: 10.15pm as opposed to the usual 10pm start.
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