Martin Gethin expects Derry Mathews battle

British lightweight champion Martin Gethin has vowed to break Derry Mathews down when they face other in Liverpool on Saturday night.

Gethin hasn't fought for a year since losing to Ammeth Diaz in an IBF eliminator, but the Walsall fighter believes that his absence will give him the hunger required to overcome Mathews in his home city.

The 30-year-old told World Boxing News: "I'm fully expecting a battle and I'm ready for one. I'd rather have a battle than for me to go chasing him.

"It will be a good, hard fight, but I will break Derry down. I've got the greater hunger, grit, heart and will to win. It's my belt and I'm going to keep it."

Gethin enters the contest with 24 wins from 29 bouts, while Mathews has 34 victories from 45 professional encounters.