TICKETS for Derry Mathews' eagerly awaited first world title defence go on sale exclusively on Merseyside this weekend.
The newly crowned WBU featherweight champion will make his maiden defence at the Liverpool Olympia on February 24, with stablemate and fellow undefeated star Paul Smith also in action.
And the ECHO can reveal that new British title holder John Simpson is the name in the frame to step up and challenge Mathews in the New Year.
Simpson, from Greenoch in Scotland, is very much a live opponent, especially after his impressive stoppage victory over previously undefeated Mancunian Andy Morris two weeks ago.
However, an opponent is unlikely to be confirmed until the turn of the year, but for now city sports fans can capitalise on the early ticket distribution and snap up tickets for the 1,600-capacity Olympia.
"I am delighted that the tickets have been printed and are arriving in Liverpool on Friday," said Mathews.
"It's just in time for Christmas so I hope everyone goes out and buys them as gifts because it will be a night to remember."
The 23-year-old added: "It's all so much more real now that both tickets and posters are being printed up and I really can't wait for the night to come.
"Frank Warren initially wanted to put the fight on in Widnes as there is a bigger sports hall there and also to attract fight fans from Manchester but we pushed him to do the show in Liverpool and now we want to pack the place out and prove that there is a huge fanbase for boxing in the city.
"Both myself and Paul want to top bills in our home town and hopefully this will be the first of many."
Article
