Mathews believes a change in weight will also help him back to the top

Liverpool's Derry Mathews has decided to return to the ring after he retired from the boxing following defeat by Scott Lawton in November.

Mathews says his work with local children has inspired his return.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I got the hunger back by helping the kids out and being a role model for them.

"I'm still only young, I'm only 26 and I'm still fresh. It was a big decision to make a come back and decide I want to fight again."

Mathews is set for a July fight and he has also revealed he has a new trainer, Oliver Harrison, and he is sure they will have a great partnership.

The former super featherweight also says he will also change divisions to now fight at lightweight.

"He's from Manchester and he used to have Amir Khan, Jamie Moore and he's now got Martin Murray who's going to fight for the Commonwealth title," Mathews continued.

"He's a top coach, a well respected man and he gave me the opportunity to work with him. I take my hat off to him and I thank him a lot for putting his trust in me, giving me the time and effort to train with me.

"The first thing I did when I went with Oliver, we decided I was going to go from nine stone to nine stone nine, which is championship limit.

"So I'm a stone bigger and I'm moving up two weight categories. It's a big ask but I feel a lot better."

Mathews fought 25 times in his professional career before his retirement, with 21 wins and four losses.

The last three defeats were by stoppage and prompted his original decision to retire as he wanted to be at the top battling for titles.

I believe he deserves a British title fight and I believe he can win the British title Derry Mathews on John Watson

But he is already looking forward to the future, with the former WBU world featherweight champion eyeing a possible fight against one of his friends, John Watson.

"Maybe in two fights' time when I'm comfortable at the weight and my confidence is back in the ring and I'm getting a few rounds under my belt - maybe that fight between me and John Watson could happen," he said.

"I'm not here to call John out, he's a good friend of mine and he's been an excellent sparring partner for me. I believe he deserves a British title fight and I believe he can win the British title.

"So if he's there when I'm knocking on the door, may that fight happen."

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