By Andrew Paterson

Huge local favourite “Dirty” Derry Matthews kept his career rolling after picking up the vacant WBA Continental Lightweight title against Adam Dingsdale.

Matthews has practically done it all at domestic level and is desperate to secure a world title shot before retiring but he readily admits that one more defeat could very well spell the end.

St. Helens born Dingsdale was stepping up in class and had a full training camp for this fight, instead of a week or so notice, and knew what a massive opportunity he had in front of him.

Dingsdale started by throwing widely and falling short with his jab whilst Matthews took command of centre ring and landed a lovely 3 punch combination.  Both ended the 1st round throwing shots but it was Matthews that landed a solid straight right hand that certainly got Dingsdale’s attention.

Dingsdale started the 2nd round like he did the 1st round and spent a lot of energy moving about before getting dropped with a left hook to the temple from Matthews and was down again seconds later by a clubbing right hand; Dingsdale was all over the place which could have very well seen the referee Howard Foster step in and call a halt.

Matthews started the 3rd round with a purposeful jab and sensing he could take more chances stepped forward but also being wary not to present too much of a target.  Dingsdale attempted to fight back but mainly his winging shots were not landing.

By the 4th round Dingsdale seemed to have his legs back under him as he moved around the ring more fluently.  Matthews though used his reach well and landed a well-timed straight right hand but Dingsdale levelled up moments later with a right hand of his own.

A cagey 5th round then ensued with Dingsdale looking to counter punch and Matthews waiting slightly too long to punch with the 6th round following a similar path to the fifth.

Dingsdale had some good success in the 7th round and caught Matthews flush with a straight right hand and then proceeded to move and reset with Matthews looking to counter with the left hook.

Matthews started the 8th round more quickly as he popped off some good combinations but by and large he would remain calm and not force his work however Matthews had problems trying to pin Dingsdale down due to his movement.

Dingsdale had a good 9th round showing a bit of rhythm in his work, moving to the side and using head movement causing Matthews problems.  The crowd by the 10th round were deathly quiet probably because of Dingsdale style of fighting off the back foot however the crowd were stirred slightly as Matthews started to respond again with the left hook.

Matthews continued into the 11th round by not rushing his work and unwilling to over commit himself and leave himself open, instead he opted to pump out the jab forcing Dingsdale to retreat whilst Matthews looked to landed the right hand and the left hook.

Dingsdale moved forward more in the 12th round but as he did he walked on to a big shot from Matthews which saw Dingsdale get back on bicycle but his back foot style attempting to steal rounds just wasn’t enough as Matthews was a clear and worthy winner.

All three judges saw the fight clearly for Derry Matthews with scores as Dave Parris 118-108, Giuseppe Quartarone 120-106 and Philippe Verbeke 119-107.

"I made it an easy fight," Matthews stated directly after the fight, "people think I'm an old man, I'm in my prime now, people said that I'm finished but again I showed them I'm into my prime now."

With the victory Matthews may now obtain a top 15 ranking with the WBA.