Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey

NABF champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey is anxious to show the boxing world what he has learned from his first pro loss to Rudy Kraj by 12-round decision in their WBC title eliminator.

“I went overseas to fight Kraj in his backyard,” Godfrey said. “I got through a difficult fight and learned a lot that I hadn’t experienced in my first 16 pro fights. I proved that I can dig down and go 12 hard rounds. I also learned that I have to become a lot meaner and more aggressive. I can’t just rely on my boxing ability, being ‘Too Smooth,’ and just looking good in the ring. I need to bite down, push forward and take the fight away from my opponent – like Vinny Paz did – instead of just boxing around in the ring.”

Since his pro debut May 14, 2004 versus Glen Morgan, Matt has displayed poise and ring generalship far beyond his age, never more evident than in two early career matches against proven veterans Willie Herring and Jermall “The Truth” Barnes.

Godfrey’s stunning first-round TKO of previously unbeaten NABA title-holder Shaun George (11-0-2) on ESPN2 (May 10, 2006) really put Godfrey on the boxing scene. He followed that with a convincing 12-round unanimous decision (116-112, 116-113, 118-111) against Danny Batchelder (24-2-1) on September 23 Hartford (CT).

Godfrey’s most notable and career-defining fight at this early stage was a shocking second-round knockout of highly-touted Felix Cora, Jr. (18-1-2), in which Matt completely overwhelmed his talented opponent, before an ESPN2 audience (April 6, 2007) at Foxwoods.  

A year ago (August 10), Godfrey defeated Derrick Brown (13-2-3) by unanimous 10-round decision at Twin River in Rhode Island. Following the fight, Matt relinquished his NABA, WBC Continental Americas & USNBC title belts to give others an opportunity as he concentrates on a major world title fight.

Matt, now rated No. 5 by the WBC, lost to Kraj in Berlin in his last fight on March 8. “I was terribly disappointed with my first loss,” he noted, “but now I realize that all champions (not named Floyd Mayweather or Joe Calzaghe) lose at some point. It isn’t the end of the world, as long as you learn from a loss, and I’ve learned a lot. I know what I’m capable of and I just have to put it all together. I still believe I’m the best cruiserweight in the world. I can’t wait to fight again. I went back into the gym right away and I’ve been working as hard. I want to fight the top guys, on television, and get back to where I belong.”

Godfrey possesses incredibly quick hands and feet, especially for a 200-pounder, in addition to a complete set of sound boxing skills developed during his outstanding amateur career.

Matt had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships, four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics.
He was a Bronze medal winner at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver Medalist in all four of
that year’s national major tournaments – National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge -- and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

Godfrey was the second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team but he decided to turn pro May 14 (2004), winning a unanimous four-round decision against 1-1 Glen Morgan.

Years ago, Matt started boxing at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI) with Peter Manfredo, Jr., former world title challenger and finalist in the original reality television series, The Contender, as well as his current CES stable-mate, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada.

Godfrey was a highly decorated U.S. amateur who in the amateurs defeated many of today’s contemporary pro boxers such as former WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-2-3, 12 KOs), heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (23-1, 15 KOs), Devin Vargas (16-0, 7 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (16-3, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-2, 10 KOs).

Godfrey, who was recently named Captain of Team CES, is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., managed by Bret Hallenbeck and trained by “Iceman” John Scully.