Matt Godfrey
Encyclopedia
Matt Godfrey is an American
boxer
.
since his childhood had an outstanding amateur career prior to turning professional.
He was the 2000 U.S. National Amateur Champion at Middleweight (165 lbs) and later the 2002 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion(limit 201 lbs) and 2004 U.S. National Amateur Heavyweight Champion.
With a relaxed stick-and-move style but only average power he also won a bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-Am Games.
He was also a second alternate for 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 (boxer)
, on the other hand he holds 3 wins over Chazz Witherspoon
.
He compiled a 194-23 amateur record.
After defeating 2 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.
Matt'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 Matt 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.
4 months later Matt 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 would take place in Kraj's adopted home country of Germany and Kraj won on points.
Nearly 6 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 Matt Knocked him out in the 4th round. Godfrey earned himself 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 KO's 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 undefeated Lateef Kayode
on points.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Amateur career
Godfrey, who is a close friend of Jason EstradaJason Estrada
Jason Moses Estrada is a boxer who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in the super heavyweight division. In 2003 he won the gold medal at the Pan American Games....
since his childhood had an outstanding amateur career prior to turning professional.
He was the 2000 U.S. National Amateur Champion at Middleweight (165 lbs) and later the 2002 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion(limit 201 lbs) and 2004 U.S. National Amateur Heavyweight Champion.
With a relaxed stick-and-move style but only average power he also won a bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-Am Games.
He was also a second alternate for 2004 U.S. Olympic Team after losing 8-17 to Devin Vargas
Devin Vargas
Devin Vargas is a boxer who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in the heavyweight division.-Amateur career:Vargas had a stellar amateur career prior to turning professional....
(whom Godfrey had beaten before on another occasion). He lost three times to Aaron Williams (boxer)
Aaron Williams (boxer)
Aaron Williams is an American boxer.-Amateur:As a young man he trained for 3 years under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward, 90-8 record as an amateur although Cyberboxing lists him as 93-10....
, on the other hand he holds 3 wins over Chazz Witherspoon
Chazz Witherspoon
Chazz Witherspoon is a heavyweight boxer and the second cousin of former boxing champion Tim Witherspoon.-Background:...
.
He compiled a 194-23 amateur record.
Amateur Highlights
- 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
Pro
Godfrey who is now trained by former world title challenger "Iceman" John Scully and Ross Enamait turned professional in 2004. He made his pro debut at the Convention Center in Providence Rhode Island in May of '04.After defeating 2 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
Ernest M-16 Mateen
Ernest M-16 Mateen , is a former United States and world Cruiserweight champion.-Amateur career:...
in the second round in February 2006.
Matt's next fight was the turning point in his career. He was matched up against amateur star Shaun George
Shaun George
Shaun George is a US American professional boxer fighting in the light-heavyweight division. He is best known for sensationally upsetting former heavyweight champ Chris Byrd which all but ended Byrd's career. George is the nephew of former world title challenger and trainer Lennox Blackmoore...
(also 11-0) in May 2006. George never had a chance, getting pummeled and knocked out in the first round. In April 2007 Matt 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.
4 months later Matt defeated Derrick Brown by decision which earned him a world title eliminator against Czech amateur star Rudolf Kraj
Rudolf Kraj
Rudolf Kraj is a Czech boxer.-Amateur:He won the silver medal in the men's Light Heavyweight category at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney...
. Godfrey was 16-0 while Kraj was 13-0. The fight would take place in Kraj's adopted home country of Germany and Kraj won on points.
Nearly 6 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 Matt Knocked him out in the 4th round. Godfrey earned himself 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 KO's with a split decision win over veteran Michael Simms
Michael Simms
Michael Simms Jr is an American boxer best known to win the 1999 World Amateur Boxing Championships at light heavyweight.-Amateur:...
. The win earned Godfrey a shot at Marco Huck
Marco Huck
Marco Huck is a German professional boxer of Bosniak origin. He is the current WBO Cruiserweight Champion.Marco started Taekwando and kickboxing at the age of ten...
's WBO title which he lost by KO5. He lost again to undefeated Lateef Kayode
Lateef Kayode
Lateef Kayode is an undefeated Nigerian professional boxer in the Cruiserweight division. He's the current WBO NABO and NABF Cruiserweight Champion.Lateef is trained by 4-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach.-Pro career:...
on points.