Derry Mathews vs. Tony Luis: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Derry Mathews will face late replacement Tony Luis for the interim WBA world lightweight title on Saturday night in Liverpool.

The local lad had been due to take on Richar Abril for the WBA strap at the Echo Arena, only for the champion to twice pull out of scheduled fights

The Cuban's second withdrawal resulted in him being stripped of the title, and initially, Mathews was set to face Ismael Barroso to decide who would hold the title on an interim basis.

However, per Sporting Life, the Venezuelan was unable to obtain a visa in time to travel. Luis has stepped in to fill the void, having initially been due to fight in Minnesota on the same night.

When: Saturday, April 18 at 10 p.m. BST

Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool, England 

TV: BoxNation 

Live Stream: BoxNation (regional restrictions apply)

Changing faces

Despite the changes of opponent, Mathews (37-9-2, 20 KO) is determined to seize his chance on the world stage.

The 31-year-old has been British and Commonwealth champion in an eventful 48-fight career that has seen him have to take the long road to the top.

He has suffered setbacks along the way, but he always seems to entertain the audience.

In the end, the opportunity to fight Abril came his way after Manchester's Anthony Crolla was badly hurt when attempting to stop a burglary last December, suffering a fractured skull and a broken ankle.

Mathews may not quite be a fully fledged world champion with a win at the weekend, but he understands the importance of the bout, even if it is now against a stand-in.

Per Nick Parkinson of ESPN, he said: "I've got a good boxing brain, and I will show that in this fight. A lot of people are going to be surprised. I've got to be smart and clever at this level, and I think I can outbox him."

Changing places

Luis (19-2, 7 KO) was all set to defend his WBC Continental Americas lightweight crown on American soil on April 18.

Now, though, the 27-year-old from Ontario has travelled across to England with the aim of grabbing the unexpected opportunity that has come his way.

Mathews believes that the latest boxer booked to face him might actually make for the most entertaining fight of the lot, per the Liverpool Echo:

"

There have been so many ups and downs over the last couple of days, but as the professional that I am, I have stayed focused on my job.

It's a tough test on Saturday and I think Tony brings a lot more to the table than Barroso but I have trained for one of the best in the world in Richar Abril so I am more than ready.

I think he is made for me. I am fighting a come-forward fighter and I love those type of boxers. It brings excitement and fireworks and the crowd are in for a treat.

"

Prediction

Looking at Luis' record makes it tough to judge if he can make the step up required to match the sheer determination Mathews will bring to the ring.

The home favourite is a tough nut to crack, as he proved against Tommy Coyle in 2013 when he rallied in dramatic fashion, stopping his rival in the 10th round in Hull.

He will hope that, this time, he does not have to turn things around quite so drastically, and to that extent, he has at least had plenty of time to prepare for action, even if he had been planning to take on Abril.

Expect Luis to be willing and able, but Mathews will get his moment in the spotlight with a stoppage success in the middle rounds.