Matt Godfrey facts for kids

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.

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	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 WBA–NABA 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 WBC–USNBC 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.