However, his trek to the top is being hampered by inactivity. Since turning pro in 1997, Matthews has only fought in a handful of bouts.

Seven fights to be exact. His last bout was on Boxing Day at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

“There has been a turn around in the amount of cards being held now but still that is not enough. I need to fight at least four times per year not once as is happening now,” Matthews said in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport in Linden.

“I have the potential of being another world champion. I have the skills but I can’t get to show them. It’s like my hands are tied.” Matt-hews has only lost once in his six-year career.

That was in 1999 when he dropped a 10-round decision to Keith `Crusher’ Thomas. He returned several months later to hold Thomas to a draw.

In his last fight Matthews won a decision over Dexter `Oiler’ Breedy. He claimed that he had great plans for the new year after the victory but nothing has turned up so far.

“I think that I’m one of the most dedicated fighters around. I don’t wait for someone to train me. I train myself. I did that and won fights against Breedy and Shawn Holder,” the boxer claimed.

According to Matthews, who hails from the mining town of Linden, he is encouraged to stay in the sport when he sees fighters he has defeated going on to win titles.

He singled out Benjamin Modeste of St Lucia whom he defeated in his first professional fight, as a prime example. “Modeste went on to win a Caribbean title. He was kept active and I was not.”

Matthews noted that if the situation is not remedied soon he will be forced to leave Guyana to seek his fortunes elsewhere. “I hope that I can train in Gleason’s Gym or get fights overseas. It’s no use I waste my years not doing the things I really love,” Classy Cassius said.

“I can’t box forever. These are my prime years and I have to take full advantage of them. I would not be 28-years-old forever. I’ll have to strike the hammer while the iron is hot.”