Advertisement
Richar Abril has been stripped of his WBA Lightweight title after pulling out of a fight with Derry Matthews for a 2nd time.
The move by the WBA also cleared the way for Derry Mathews (37-9-2, 20 KOs) to face southpaw Ismael Barroso (17-0-2, 16 KOs) for the now-vacant interim belt on April 18 at the Echo Arena in Mathews’ hometown of Liverpool, England. Mathews was due to challenge Abril on that card before Abril withdrew.
“I’ve been in this sport for over 10 years,” Mathews said. “I’ve had more knockouts than he’s had fights — (more than) twice as many fights as him. In terms of experience he’s not on my level and I can use all of my experience to my advantage,”
Advertisement
