By Jake Donovan

Terry Flanagan and Derry Mathews both successfully made weight ahead of their lightweight title fight Saturday evening at the Echo Arena in the challenger's hometown of Liverpool, England. 

Flanagan came in right at the divisional limit of 135 lbs. for the second defense of the title he claimed last June. Mathews weighed one pound lighter at 134 lbs. for his first crack at a full version of a major title. 

While hardly traveling abroad, Flanagan (29-0, 12KOs) fights outside of his Manchester hometown for the first time in his title reign. The 26-year old southpaw claimed the title in a bizarre 2nd round stoppage win over Jose Zepeda, who dislocated his shoulder and was unable to continue in their vacant title fight last June. 

Anxious to legitimize his reign, Flanagan proved his title winning effort was no fluke following his first defense. Four months after handing Zepeda his first loss, the unbeaten Mancunian tore through consensus Top 10 contender Diego Magdaleno in a blistering 2nd round knockout last October. 

The title win and his first defense both took place at home in Manchester, but Flanagan now makes the hour-long trek for Saturday's headliner versus his familiar rival.

“I’m not riled about going to Liverpool. I’ve savored a top atmosphere at the MEN (Manchester Arena), now I get to enter the lion’s den; another experience,” Flanagan says of the domestic rematch. “I’ve travelled all over Britain and Europe with Man City and away days are always best. It’s a great trip for all the lads.”

 The venue played host to their first fight, which came in Oct. '12 as part of the now idled Prizefighter series. Flanagan managed a three-round decision over the Liverpudlian en route to claiming top honors in the one-day, eight-man tournament.  

Counting the three wins posted on that day, Flanagan now enters his sixth career fight in Liverpool. His last trip came two years ago, scoring a 2nd round knockout of Yordan Vasilev to kick off a string of six straight fights to have ended inside the distance. 

“I’ve personally sold nearly 500 tickets already,” Flanagan says of his Liverpool return. “But home or away, you just blank the crowd out. Whenever I’m in the ring, I’m in the zone. Nothing fazes me.

“Anyway, I can go back to Manchester for unification against (WBA boss Anthony) Crolla or (WBC king Jorge) Linares. They’re the fights I want. And I’d jump at a chance to defend abroad. There’s also (Puerto Rico’s touted WBO number three) Felix Verdejo, a top talent; perfect for my US debut!”

Mathews (38-9-2, 20KOs) comes in having won his last four starts, but having been out of the ring since a 12-round win over Tony Luis at Echo Arena last April. The fight was due to come against then-lightweight champion Richar Abril, who withdrew - and was eventually stripped of the title - due to injury. 

A consolation prize was offered in Mathews and Luis contending for an interim title, with the local favorite coming up with the big win. He also owns a win and draw over Crolla, who has since gone on to claim a lightweight title. 

The bout will air live on BoxNation in the United Kingdom, along with a same-day tape delay offering hours late on beIN Sports Network in the United States.

Original plans called for the show to also include lineal super bantamweight champ Guillermo Rigondeaux in a 10-round showdown with James "Jazza" Dickens. The fight was scrapped due to a breakdown in communications in Rigondeaux' travel visa application. The unbeaten Cuban bolting from Russia to his home in Miami sans explanation while efforts were still being made to expedite his application.  

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox