No one could believe Derry Mathews when he announced another retirement in 2017. The popular Liverpool fighter had been at this point multiple times in his illustrious, rollercoaster career so why would this time be any different?
After surrendering to O’Hara Davies in three one-sided rounds on the first Tony Bellew vs. David Haye undercard, Mathews looked a broken man. Although his decision to walk away was the right choice, Mathews had looked fractured many times before. He always found a way to bounce back, one of his many great characteristics, but not this time.
It was Mathews’ third consecutive loss after also enduring defeat against world class pair Terry Flanagan and Luke Campbell. Each unsuccessful fight removed another layer of Mathews’ durability and a position he’d held since turning professional in 2003 was no longer sustainable.
14 years a paid fighter, Mathews left a stunning legacy. Adorned in a variety of belts, Mathews not only hit the sunset with titles, he left knowing he provided value for money to all his supporters. The battles with Anthony Crolla, Gavin Rees and Tommy Coyle have become even more legendary but today, Mathews has a bigger part to play in boxing.
On Saturday night, Mathews, in his new role as trainer alongside his former coach Georgie Vaughan, will aim to deliver Jazza Dickens the IBF featherweight title. Dickens faces Kid Galahad for boxing’s biggest prize and the opportunity in front of Dickens and his team is one of significant value, especially for Mathews.
“Everything I’ve done in my career, I’d give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant Jazza could become world champion,” said Mathews when speaking exclusively to DAZN. “I know how much goes into becoming a world champion because I gave the sport every last bit of me and I didn’t get the chance to say I was world champion.
“I had the interim version after a war with Tony Luis and I came up short against Terry Flanagan but knowing what I put in and stuill not winning ome shows you just how hard it is. I’ve watched Jazza in the gym for a long time now and I’ve known him since he was a kid. He has the talent and the dedication and now he has to go out there and do what he’s been doing in the gym.”
Mathews’ relationship with Dickens, now a professional one, was not always that way. As a decorated amateur at Liverpool’s famed Salisbury gym, Mathews, six years his charge’s senior, was a fighter who Dickens looked up to when he first joined “The Solly.”
Often the way in sporting institutions, youngsters dreaming of future glories are inspired by those who’ve gone before them representing the same colours and that’s how it was for Mathews and Dickens. With the former leaving his childhood base to pursue pro prizes, Dickens filled the void by securing amateur prizes of his own.
“It’s the way it goes in amateur boxing. As kids, you always need someone to look up to. I’m flattered those fighters seen me that way but I was the same when I was a kid. David Burke was always my hero and the fighter I looked up to most. Jazza says it about me but believe me, that kid inspires me more than he’ll ever know.”
Since relocating to Mathews’ gym under the tutelage of the former fighter and Vaughan, Dickens knows only success. His Golden Contract success saw him earn vital notches over current WBA regular champion, Leigh Wood, and now Dickens has the opportunity to add such a status to his own profile against Galahad.
A loss to the Sheffield fighter back in 2013 has provided this intriguing clash with plenty of spice and multiple rounds of sparring with each other since means the fighters are fully aware regarding what to expect. Mathews, who has overseen many of those preparation rounds, believes his man has got this rematch at the right time.
“Jazza is at the absolute peak right now. He’s had his setbacks but he’s not sat there and done nothing about it. He’s improved after every loss and he’s gone out there and made the right changes that every fighter should do.
“He’s waited a long time to face Galahad again. I know how much the fight means to him and it’s come together perfectly for him. This is his chance to live out a dream that every fighter has had since they first put on the gloves and I know he’s going to do it. He’s given up so much for this and he’ll get his rewards on Saturday night.”