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I’ll leave champ on his Derry-ere

Dave Lawrenson
28/ 2/2008

SALFORD boxer Steve Foster Junior has vowed to send big head Derry Matthews crashing back down to earth when they meet in a world title fight at the Bolton Arena on Saturday, April 5.

Matthews boasts a 100 per cent record – and boasts is the operative word!

The 24-year-old from Liverpool has been biging himself up on a grand scale since he won Foster Junior’s WBU Featherweight title on points at the M.E.N Arena in October 2006.

And Matthews refused to show Foster Junior even an inkling of respect in a press conference last week, bleating on about giving the Salfordian an ‘even bigger beating second time round’.

Matthews’ arrogance has Foster Junior stewing.

He insists that Matthews only won their first fight due to an early clash of heads leaving him with vast and excruciatingly painful swelling on his forehead.

And he has vowed that he will be in the best shape of his life come fight night.

Foster Junior, who has lost just two of his 26 professional fights, said: "I am really pleased to have finally got a rematch with Matthews

"I couldn’t fight properly last time because I was in so much pain after the clash of heads.

"But this time he won’t be so lucky. I will be stronger and fitter than ever and I know what to expect as I have the experience of fighting him before.

"I am convinced that I can beat him.

"Matthews is a good fighter but I don’t think he’s as good as he thinks he is.

"He is very arrogant and he’s been showing me no respect, saying that he’s bigger and stronger now and is going to give me a real beating.

"His success has gone to his head.

"Derry thinks he’s something special and he needs bringing back down to earth.

"I think I am the man to do that and it would mean an awful lot to me to get that world title back again. I can’t wait for the fight."