Lawton has won 27 of his 35 professional bouts

Stoke boxer Scott Lawton says his fight against Derry Mathews in Liverpool will be his last.

Lawton faces Mathews for the vacant IBO International Lightweight title at the Liverpool Olimpia on January 22nd.

However, win, lose or draw, 34-year-old former English lightweight champion Lawton says he will not fight again.

"I'd like to go out on a win and especially winning a belt at the same time, so that's my plan now," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

In a distinguished career Lawton has challenged for British, European and Commonwealth titles and fought the likes of Amir Kahn and Jon Thaxton.

Injuries have taken their toll in recent years though, and Lawton admits they have played a major part in his decision to quit.

I know that when I put pressure on him he will crumble and I'll make sure he crumbles again Scott Lawton

"I've suffered quite a few injuries over the past couple of years and the last contest I had I didn't throw any punches for three weeks before.

"I know I can't really box at the level I want if I can't train properly," he said.

Lawton's last appearance was in the lightweight edition of Prizefighter, where he lost to British Champion Gary Sykes.

That was his seventh professional defeat and forced him to look ahead to a career outside of the ring.

"I've got lots of interests in boxing with training other fighters.

"I'm going to look forward to doing that kind of stuff, I'll always be involved in boxing and hopefully train a few champions myself," he added.

Lawton has beaten Mathews before, scoring a sixth round stoppage win in November 2009 and believes he has what it takes to beat the 27-year-old Liverpudlian again.

"I know that when I put pressure on him he will crumble and I'll make sure he crumbles again," he said.

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