by Terence Dooley

Frank Warren used today’s final presser between Manchester’s WBO lightweight holder Terry Flanagan (29-0, 12 early) and Liverpool’s Derry Mathews (38-9-2, 20 KOs) to reveal that he has made an offer to WBA World titlist Anthony Crolla to meet the winner of the fight.

They meet at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Saturday night to see who will win the latest Manchester-Liverpool match-up.

Warren told the assembled press that it is high time that we found out once and for all who is the best lightweight in the North West before British and world arguments are settled.

Flanagan, though, insists that he is the world’s best 135lber and has vowed to prove this over the course of the coming years.

“We've offered Crolla £500,000 to fight the winner and that offer still stands, let's find out who the best North West lightweight is,” stated Warren after starting proceedings. “[Trainers] Steve [Maylett] and Danny [Vaughan] have got their men into fantastic shape. The winner will win it on merit.”

“We’re both in the best shape of our lives and the best man will win—that’ll be me,” added Flanagan. “It’s going to be hostile for me coming into Liverpool, but it doesn’t bother me.”

Mathews, though, has upset the odds before, he ripped the British belt from Crolla in 2012 (W TKO 6) and drew with him the following year. “Dirty” Derry is one of the most experienced fighters on the domestic circuit, he intends to use this experience to take home the title.

“Me and Terry both like to have a bit of a fight, I'm ready for this,” he said. “I'm in this sport to fight the best, I don't care how I win as long as I win. Terry's injury (which delayed the fight by a month) has given me an advantage. It's given me more time to work on my speed in sparring.”

The fight will be shown live on BoxNation here in the U.K. Paul Butler, Zolani Tete, Tommy Langford and are on the undercard, which also features Zelfa Barrett, nephew of former world title challenger Pat, in his first fight on a major bill since signing for Warren earlier this year.

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