Terry Flanagan vs. Derry Mathews 2: Winner, Scorecard and Reaction

Terry Flanagan (30-0, 12 KOs) made a successful second defense of his WBO world lightweight title against Derry Mathews (38-10-2, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, working the body with aplomb and steering clear of danger en route to a comfortable unanimous-decision win.

The WBO provided the judges' scores, showing a clear win for Flanagan despite him losing a point in the eighth round for an elbow: 

"

.@terryflanagan5 retains his #WBO lightweight world title over @derrymathews23 by UD. 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112. pic.twitter.com/GLNI6FTRjy

— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) March 12, 2016"

Flanagan also won the previous meeting between these two, a three-round knockout event in October 2012. Saturday's bout was clearly of a different magnitude, with a boisterous crowd giving full-throated support to the Liverpudlian Mathews and Flanagan looking to clear this stepping stone before facing tougher challengers.

Bad Left Hook's Tom Craze noted Flanagan must now take on the best his division can offer: 

Prior to the bout, the undefeated 26-year-old made it clear he had his sights set on on fellow Mancunian and WBA world lightweight champion Anthony "Million Dollar" Crolla, per ESPN UK's Nick Parkinson: 

"

Crolla is the one I want. Anthony and I are friends, we're from the same area, went to the same school and are world champions in the same weight division. It's unheard of.

I knew him at school, he was a few years ahead of me, and he's a nice kid. But we will put our friendship aside for the fight, boxing is a business after all, and after the fight we can be mates again.

"

Flanagan acquitted himself well against the Mathews on Saturday, and the potential unification bout with Crolla should find its way into the boxing calendar in the near future. Boxing manager Frank Warren stated the bout was possible after Flanagan's win, per BoxNation: 

With Crolla set to fight on May 7, the Mirror's David Anderson noted a fight against WBC world titleholder Jorge Linares could be next for Flanagan. 

Despite his status as the champion, Flanagan received no love from a Liverpool crowd firmly in Mathews' corner, per BoxNation: 

The southpaw established himself as the aggressor early on, planting firmly on the front foot and forcing Mathews to play defense against his unusual punching angles. Flanagan targeted the body early, doing great work with a straight left hand as well as a few stinging combinations. However, his strong start was marred by several shots that landed below the belt.

Bad Left Hook noted Flanagan's transgressions after the fourth round:

Mathews found the range on some counter shots early, but his performance perked up in the fifth round. He got off the back foot and put pressure on Flanagan, landing a few strong hooks and doing a better job of keeping himself out of harm's way. He was even more of a threat in the sixth, but BoxNation noted Flanagan re-established control in the seventh:

The pace from Mathews kept Flanagan from getting comfortable, and his consistently dirty fighting finally cost him a point in the eighth round. Mathews pinned Flanagan on the ropes, and as the latter tried to claw his way out, he threw an extracurricular elbow that the referee couldn't let go unpunished. 

Flanagan grew into the pace of the bout, although he failed to capitalize on some of his better opportunities.

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

A stinging series of hooks sent Mathews crashing into the corner in the 10th, but Flanagan backed off and allowed the challenger to reset when he might've been better off pressing his advantage. 

USA Today's Mike Coppinger could've done with a bit more action: 

Mathews' desperation showed in the final two rounds, but he struggled to find the range and was unable to steal away the match late. The 32-year-old's age may be finally catching up to him, as he was unable to close the gap with speed. He still put forth a good effort, but he will be relegated to gatekeeper status should he continue boxing.

Flanagan will have to be more careful moving forward, as a few more low blows or forearms might've earned him a disqualification. The referee had to talk to him several times throughout the contest. Should he face Crolla or Linares next, Flanagan won't be able to afford losing cheap points in a fight that would likely go the distance.