Gethin and Mathews will battle it out for the Vacant WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Championship* on Saturday 10th May at the Liverpool Olympia, with tickets priced at £40 and £60 available on Box Office 0151 263 6633 or www.liverpoololympia.com
It’s a crucial fight for Walsall’s teak-tough Gethin who pushed big-hitting Panamanian Ammeth Diaz hard for seven rounds – despite fighting with a perforated ear drum from the fifth round – before he was stopped in the seventh round of his IBF World Title Eliminator last May.
Gethin, known as the “Quiet Man” who also holds the British title which will not be on the line, knows that he must beat Mathews to get back on track for a shot at a world title.
He said, “This is a big big fight for me in my career. I’d say it’s as important as a world title fight and I’m looking at it like that. I came within touching last time against Diaz who is world class. It wasn’t my night then, I got a perforated eardrum in the fifth round and it threw my gameplan out of the window but I stuck in there with him for two more rounds. I belong in world class and Mathews is standing in my way. It’s two of the best lightweights in the country meeting at a crossroads with the winner going to bigger and better things. We’re both fighting men, neither of us will back down, it’s going to come down to who wants it the most on the night and who’s prepared to put it all on the line to get it and that man will be me.”
All-action Mathews, from Liverpool, has carved a reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in the country for getting involved in exciting tears ups and is promising the same against Gethin.
He suffered a slip up last time out losing on points over ten rounds to hard Irishman Stephen Ormond for the WBO European title last December, but says he’ll be ready to give Gethin the fight of his life.
He said, “Gethin’s a top fighter, he’s Britain’s number one and I’ve got to beat him and prove that I belong up there with the best. Nothing matters more in the world to me than beating Gethin right now. I’ve taken myself away from my kids and family and based myself in Spain to get into the shape of my life, physically and mentally. My career is on the line here, if I get beat it could be the end because I’m not going back down to eight-round fights. I’m a championship fighter and I want to remain there for the rest of my career and end it with a world title. Our styles will make for a real war, he doesn’t take a step back and neither do I. He’d better be ready for me because I’ll be invincible on the night. It’s going to be a cracking fight for the fans, they’re in for a special night and a Mathews win.”
Middleweight star Billy Joe Saunders will go for the Vacant European Middleweight Championship when he faces Italian veteran Emanuele Blandamura in the joint main event on the show.
The Hatfield ace aims to add the European title alongside his British and Commonwealth belts before stepping up to the world stage in his ambition to become the first world champion boxer from the traveling community.
Heading up the undercard will be super-middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jnr. who has his first professional fight in Liverpool in an eight round contest.
Undefeated in 13 fights, Eubank Jnr. is ripping through the domestic 160lb domestic division and is not far off challenging for his first title.
An action packed undercard features Liverpool favourites Thomas Stalker, the highly decorated amateur and undefeated light-welterweight; top light-welterweight prospect Nathan Brough and Ellesmere Port’s up-and-coming unbeaten talent Matty Fagan. New Frank Warren signings Jack Catterall and Tommy Langford make their debut for their new promoter on the show. Chorley light-welter Catterall and Bideford super-middle Langford have been tipped for the top by many pundits. Top Welsh super-featherweight Craig Evans aims to take his record to 12-0 and Belfast featherweight Ciaran McVarnock complete the show.
Tickets are priced at £40 unreserved and £60 Ringside and are available Box Office 0151 263 6633 and www.liverpoololympia.com
*Subject to confirmation from the WBA
