Matt Godfrey (born January 16, 1981) is a Wampanoag former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2012.[1][2] He challenged for the WBO cruiserweight title in 2010.

Matt Godfrey
Born (1981-01-16) January 16, 1981 (age 43)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesToo Smooth
Statistics
Weight(s)Cruiserweight
StanceOrthodox stance
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins21
Wins by KO11
Losses3
Draws0
No contests0

Amateur career

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Godfrey, who is a close friend of Jason Estrada since his childhood, had an outstanding amateur career prior to turning professional.

He was the 2000 U.S. National Amateur Champion at Middleweight, 2002 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, and 2004 U.S. National Amateur Heavyweight Champion.

With a relaxed stick-and-move style but only average power he won a bronze medal at the 2001 Pan Am Games.

He was also a second alternate for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team after losing 8-17 to Devin Vargas (whom Godfrey had beaten before on another occasion). He lost three times to Aaron Williams; on the other hand, he holds three wins over Chazz Witherspoon.

He compiled a 194-23 amateur record.[3]

Amateur highlights

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  • 2000 U.S. National Amateur Champion Middleweight (165 lbs)
  • 2001 Bronze Medalist in Pan-American Games
  • 2002 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 U.S. National Amateur Heavyweight Champion
  • Second alternate for 2004 U.S. Olympic Team
  • 6-time New England Golden Gloves Champion

Professional career

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Godfrey, who is now trained by Dr. Roland Estrada and Ross Enamait, turned professional in 2004. He made his professional debut at the Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island, in May 2004.

After defeating two veterans in the summer of 2005, Godfrey beat Billy Willis by decision at the Convention Center in Providence and improved to 10-0. Godfrey stopped Ernest M-16 Mateen in the second round in February 2006.

Godfrey's next fight was the turning point in his career. He was matched up against amateur star Shaun George (also 11-0) in May 2006. George never had a chance, getting pummeled and knocked out in the first round.

In April 2007 Godfrey was pitted against star of the Contender Series Felix Cora Jr. in the Main Event of the evening. In a fight that commentators noted was probably his first real test against a left-hander, Godfrey turned southpaw himself for two rounds to effectively outscore Cora, before knocking him down midway through the second round. Cora regained his feet, but did not provide any offense and the referee waved the fight off shortly thereafter.

Four months later Godfrey defeated Derrick Brown by decision which earned him a world title eliminator against Czech amateur star Rudolf Kraj. Godfrey was 16-0 while Kraj was 13-0. The fight took place in Kraj's adopted home country of Germany, and Kraj won on points.

Nearly six months later one of Godfrey's most exciting fights took place at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. He fought Emmanuel Nwodo, who proved to be a tough fight for Godfrey, but in the end Godfrey knocked him out in the 4th round.

Godfrey earned his 18th win against Edward Gutierrez in November 2008, pitched a shutout against undefeated Shawn Hawk (18-0) and improved to 20-1 with 10 KOs with a split decision win over veteran Michael Simms. The win earned Godfrey a shot at Marco Huck's WBO title, which he lost by KO5. He lost again to the undefeated Lateef Kayode on points.

Sporting positions
Preceded by United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
2004
Succeeded by

Professional boxing record

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21 wins (11 knockouts, 10 decisions), 3 losses (1 knockout, 2 decisions) [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 10-3   Jesse Oltmanns TKO 5 (6), 0:10 19/07/2012   Twin River Casino, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
Loss 16-0   Lateef Kayode UD 10 10/06/2011   Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, U.S. For WBC–NABF and vacant WBA–NABA cruiserweight titles
Loss 29-1   Marco Huck TKO 5 (12), 2:18 21/08/2010   Messehalle, Erfurt, Germany For WBO cruiserweight title
Win 20-11-2   Michael Simms SD 10 12/09/2009   Red Lion Hotels, Sacramento, California, U.S.
Win 18-0-1   Shawn Hawk UD 10 10/07/2009   Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win 15-5-1   Edward Gutierrez UD 10 22/11/2008   4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S. Won inaugural SNBC cruiserweight title
Win 22-4   Emmanuel Nwodo TKO 4 (10), 1:57 29/08/2008   Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Loss 13-0   Rudolf Kraj UD 12 08/03/2008   König Palast, Krefeld, Germany
Win 13-2-3   Derrick Brown UD 10 10/08/2007   Twin River Casino, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S. Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win 18-1-2   Felix Cora, Jr. TKO 2 (12), 2:45 06/04/2007   Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBA–NABA cruiserweight title;
Won vacant WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win 22-14   Lloyd Bryan TKO 4 (8), 0:35 01/12/2006   Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win 24-2-1   Danny Batchelder UD 12 23/09/2006   Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBC–USNBC and WBA–NABA cruiserweight titles;
Won WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title
Win 11-0-2   Shaun George TKO 1 (12), 2:21 10/05/2006   Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBC–USNBC cruiserweight title;
Won WBANABA cruiserweight title
Win 29-11-3   Ernest Mateen TKO 2 (6), 1:51 13/02/2006   Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win 6-5   Billy Willis UD 6 23/11/2005   Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win 11-3-3   Willie Herring UD 10 26/08/2005   Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Won vacant WBCUSNBC cruiserweight title
Win 17-8   Jermell Barnes UD 8 17/06/2005   Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win 4-1-2   Tony De la Garza TKO 1 (6), 1:34 01/04/2005   City Wide Fieldhouse, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 6-5   Joe Johnson TKO 4 (6), 2:37 29/10/2004   Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 2-5-1   Andrew Hutchinson TKO 4 01/10/2004   Bayside Expo Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Win 2-0-1   Chris C. Riley UD 4 27/07/2004   A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Win 2-0   Charles Tucker TKO 1 (4), 1:28 20/07/2004   Joplin Memorial Hall, Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
Win --   Fitzroy Henry TKO 1 (4), 2:27 12/06/2004   Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 1-1   Glen Morgan UD 4 14/05/2004   Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ "Boxing News: Matt Godfrey; Jason Estrada; James Moore • East Side Boxing • News Archives". 26 November 2008.
  2. ^ "Sovereign Nations Boxing".
  3. ^ "Matt Godfrey Made Name In 2006". boxing247.com. November 25, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
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