Matt Godfrey

Last updated
Matt Godfrey
Statistics
Nickname(s)Too Smooth
Weight(s) Cruiserweight
NationalityAmerican
Born (1981-01-16) January 16, 1981 (age 42)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
StanceOrthodox stance
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins21
Wins by KO11
Losses3
Draws0
No contests0

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.

Contents

Amateur career

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

Professional career

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

21 wins (11 knockouts, 10 decisions), 3 losses (1 knockout, 2 decisions)
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Win10-3 Flag of the United States.svg Jesse OltmannsTKO5 (6), 0:1019/07/2012 Flag of the United States.svg Twin River Casino, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
Loss16-0 Flag of Nigeria.svg Lateef Kayode UD1010/06/2011 Flag of the United States.svg Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.For WBC–NABF and vacant WBA–NABA cruiserweight titles
Loss29-1 Flag of Germany.svg Marco Huck TKO5 (12), 2:1821/08/2010 Flag of Germany.svg Messehalle, Erfurt, GermanyFor WBO cruiserweight title
Win20-11-2 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Simms SD1012/09/2009 Flag of the United States.svg Red Lion Hotels, Sacramento, California, U.S.
Win18-0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Shawn Hawk UD1010/07/2009 Flag of the United States.svg Asylum Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win15-5-1 Flag of the United States.svg Edward GutierrezUD1022/11/2008 Flag of the United States.svg 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S.Won inaugural SNBC cruiserweight title
Win22-4 Flag of Nigeria.svg Emmanuel Nwodo TKO4 (10), 1:5729/08/2008 Flag of the United States.svg Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Loss13-0 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Rudolf Kraj UD1208/03/2008 Flag of Germany.svg König Palast, Krefeld, Germany
Win13-2-3 Flag of the United States.svg Derrick BrownUD1010/08/2007 Flag of the United States.svg Twin River Casino, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.Retained WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win18-1-2 Flag of the United States.svg Felix Cora, Jr. TKO2 (12), 2:4506/04/2007 Flag of the United States.svg Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBA–NABA cruiserweight title;
Won vacant WBC–NABF cruiserweight title
Win22-14 Flag of Jamaica.svg Lloyd BryanTKO4 (8), 0:3501/12/2006 Flag of the United States.svg Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win24-2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Danny BatchelderUD1223/09/2006 Flag of the United States.svg Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBC–USNBC and WBA–NABA cruiserweight titles;
Won WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title
Win11-0-2 Flag of the United States.svg Shaun George TKO1 (12), 2:2110/05/2006 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBC–USNBC cruiserweight title;
Won WBANABA cruiserweight title
Win29-11-3 Flag of the United States.svg Ernest Mateen TKO2 (6), 1:5113/02/2006 Flag of the United States.svg Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win6-5 Flag of the United States.svg Billy WillisUD623/11/2005 Flag of the United States.svg Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win11-3-3 Flag of the United States.svg Willie HerringUD1026/08/2005 Flag of the United States.svg Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.Won vacant WBCUSNBC cruiserweight title
Win17-8 Flag of the United States.svg Jermell BarnesUD817/06/2005 Flag of the United States.svg Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Win4-1-2 Flag of the United States.svg Tony De la GarzaTKO1 (6), 1:3401/04/2005 Flag of the United States.svg City Wide Fieldhouse, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Win6-5 Flag of the United States.svg Joe JohnsonTKO4 (6), 2:3729/10/2004 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
Win2-5-1 Flag of Jamaica.svg Andrew HutchinsonTKO401/10/2004 Flag of the United States.svg Bayside Expo Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Win2-0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Chris C. RileyUD427/07/2004 Flag of the United States.svg A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Win2-0 Flag of the United States.svg Charles TuckerTKO1 (4), 1:2820/07/2004 Flag of the United States.svg Joplin Memorial Hall, Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
Win-- Flag of the United States.svg Fitzroy HenryTKO1 (4), 2:2712/06/2004 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
Win1-1 Flag of the United States.svg Glen MorganUD414/05/2004 Flag of the United States.svg Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.

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References

  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.