Mathews was impressive on his return to action

Liverpool featherweight Derry Mathews beat Kenyan super-featherweight champion John Gicharu on a unanimous points decision (80-71) on Saturday.

The 24-year-old former WBU champion required stitches to cuts above both eyes sustained during the contest.

Mathews told BBC Radio Merseyside: "That's just boxing, if you go swimming you get wet so I'm not bothered about the cuts. I'll let them heal."

He has been told his stitches will be in place for one week.

He has also been advised that he must not spar for four weeks.

Mathews was in control for the majority of a bruising encounter in the Liverpool Olympia, one which saw Gicharu deducted a point for use of the head in round five.

Saturday's eight-round bout was Mathews' first fight since he lost his WBU title and unbeaten record to Mongolian Choi Tseveenpurev in April.

He admitted he had felt nervous in the build-up to his homecoming.

"I was under a lot of pressure fighting at home as everyone knows what happened to me in my last fight.

I'm confident of going and winning the British title Derry Mathews

"I spoke to [trainer] Danny Vaughn and told him I was absolutely petrified, but that's how I felt before the Steve Foster fight and I got the win."

Mathews is now targeting a shot at current British champion Paul Appleby. "I'm confident of going and winning the British title.

"I wouldn't mind going to Scotland and fighting for it in front of his own fans."

Elsewhere on the card there were wins for Paul Edwards, John Watson, Stephen Burke, Joe McNally, Joey Ainscough and Mike Stafford.