Why Derry Mathews Is the Perfect Test for Luke Campbell's Lofty Ambitions

Luke Campbell and Derry Mathews have both reached a crossroads moment in their respective careers.

Despite contrasting routes to facing each other at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, on October 15, the two lightweights now share one similarity: Only a win will do if they are to progress in the division.

Their bout is the chief support act to Tony Bellew's maiden defence of his WBC cruiserweight belt against BJ Flores.

Bellew's last appearance in his home city was an emotional rollercoaster with a Hollywood-story ending. The local hero recovered from an early knockdown to knock out Ilunga Makabu, becoming a world champion at the third attempt in the process.

At the home of his beloved Everton Football Club, Bellew had achieved his lifelong aim. After such a personal high, fighting Flores at the Echo Arena just feels like a case of after the Lord Mayor's show.

Bellew tried hard to tempt David Haye into a domestic clash. Per Liam Prenderville of the Mirror, the two sides held talks, yet a deal never materialised.

The Bomber also made clear his willingness to take on IBF and WBA holder Denis Lebedev—just not in Russia. He told Sky Sports (h/t Isaac Robinson and James Dielhenn of SkySports.com), "I will fight Lebedev anywhere..." only to then add: "whether it be England or the USA."

With Bellew-Flores failing to hit the sweet spot, Campbell and Mathews can steal the show.

It certainly pricked the attention of the British boxing world, as shown by the reaction on Twitter to the fight announcement:

The necessity for both men to win only adds a touch of desperation to an already enthralling matchup.

To a degree, it feels like style against substance. Mathews, though, is much more than just a durable foe who will stick around. It should not be overlooked that he once had a stint as an interim world champion.

Campbell, however, is the classier operator out of the two. The southpaw has speed of hand and foot, though for all his abilities he's still best known for winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

He deserves great credit for accepting the challenge. Not only has he signed up to defend his WBC Silver belt against a dangerous opponent, he's also agreed to do so in the Liverpudlian's back yard.

It's a brave move, but also the right one. Walkover wins and tune-up bouts are no longer needed—it is time for Campbell to be tested.

Argenis Mendez—a former world champion at super featherweight—did that to a degree in July, knocking Campbell down in Round 2 with a right hand straight down the middle.

The fighter from Hull, England, recovered from the early setback to win on points, aided in small part by Mendez—suffering with a broken jaw—barely bothering to come out of his shell as the fight wore on.

Yet a seed of doubt first planted by Yvan Mendy—who put Campbell on the seat of his pants with a left hook when handing him his first pro defeat in December 2015—had sprouted roots.

Mendez barely bothered to extend his arms throughout the fight, yet still caught his opponent with a counter shot that couldn't miss, such was the gap in Campbell's defences. Knockout Kings captured the moment on Twitter:

There's no doubting Campbell's talent but—four years on from his glorious run to gold at the London Games—he's yet to completely convince in the pro game.

Mathews certainly has his doubts, as he made clear in the official press release from Matchroom Boxing:

"

He [Campbell] was a fantastic amateur but the pro game is different and I don’t think that he’s settled in as a pro as he wanted to.

Luke will experience things he’s never faced before and I believe I can beat him otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the fight. People might look at my age and the number of fights I’ve had, but I still feel fresh and I live the right life, and I’m prepared to dig deep and do what I need to get the win.

"

Dirty Derry is 32, hardly a number that suggests he's so far over the hill you can barely spot him in the distance. He does have plenty of miles on the clock, though, having been a pro for well over a decade.

Mathews reached the milestone of 50 bouts in his failed bid to dethrone WBO champion Terry Flanagan in March. But, even in defeat, he showed there is still life in the (not so) old dog yet.

He has already ruined the best-laid plans of another fighter from Hull, too. In July 2013, Tommy Coyle looked on course to win the Commonwealth title until Mathews conjured up a dramatic knockout in Round 10.

His lengthy record also includes a win and a draw in two meetings with current WBA champion Anthony Crolla.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Campbell may look young, but he will be 29 by the time he steps into the ring next.

His amateur pedigree meant he arrived in the paid ranks with big expectations. The early performances only added to the hype, but his progression has rather plateaued of late.

No one saw the loss to Mendy—a durable Frenchman selected for his ability to last—coming. There were admittedly mitigating circumstances behind the result, as Campbell's father battled cancer.

Despite having an excuse for the below-par performance, changes were made. Cuban trainer Jorge Rubio is now leading the corner, meaning Campbell has to leave his young family at home for long training camps in Miami. It is a sacrifice necessary to achieve his goal of becoming a world champion.

It should concern Rubio that his charge has been put down twice—and from two different types of punches—in his last three outings.

His chin isn't a major worry—he recovered quickly from both setbacks and was able to box on through to the final bell—but such carelessness cannot continue when up against better opposition.

Will Campbell reach the lofty heights expected of him when he turned pro? That is still open for debate, but facing someone of Mathews' experience and quality is an ideal test at this stage of his career.

Campbell told Bleacher Report earlier this year he would "like to fight for a world title next year." If that is to be the case, he must step up to his biggest challenge since stepping down from the Olympic podium.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.