Derry Mathews to face Ismael Barroso for interim WBA lightweight title

Derry Mathews has been advised that he will now face Ismael Barroso for the interim WBA lightweight title on April 18.

The Liverpudlian had been scheduled to face champion Richar Abril before the Cuban withdrew from the fight on Thursday, the second time he had done so after also pulling out of a bout between the two at the start of March.

Given his inactivity, Abril is now the 'champion in recess', with previous interim title holder Darleys Perez being granted champion status if Abril fails to face him within 120 days.

That has left Mathews competing for the interim strap against Barroso, an unbeaten Venezuelan who will arrive in England having stopped 16 of his 19 opponents.