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Matt Godfrey
Statistics
Nickname(s) Too Smooth
Rated at Cruiserweight
Nationality American
Born (1981-01-16) January 16, 1981 (age 43)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Stance Orthodox stance
Boxing record
Total fights 24
Wins 21
Wins by KO 11
Losses 3
Draws 0
No contests 0

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

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.

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

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
Devin Vargas
United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
2004
Succeeded by
Tony Grano

Professional boxing record

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