Derry Mathews: 'I can hurt Richar Abril'

British lightweight Derry Mathews believes that he proved his punch power during his bout with Gyorgy Mizsei Jr in Liverpool last weekend.

Mathews stopped his opponent during the fifth round and ahead of his world title showdown with Richar Abril next month, the Liverpudlian has insisted that he can have the same impact against the WBA title holder.

The 31-year-old is quoted by World Boxing News as saying: "I'm under no illusion, Mizsei is not Abril, but I showed that I can turn the power on and take someone out when I need to. Abril is in my eyes the best lightweight on the planet and I will prepare for him accordingly.

"He can be beat and I've got to be smart how I do it. I've got a good boxing brain from all my years in the amateurs, winning the Junior Olympics and 48 fights in the pros, and I know I've got the power to hurt him."

The clash had initially been scheduled for March 6 but the Cuban had to withdraw due to illness.