USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (10-0, 4 KOS) faces the stiffest test of his young career February 12, when he fights battled-tested veteran Ernest "M-16" Mateen (28-11-3, 10 KOs) in a six-round bout on "The Contender Special – East Coast Pride," at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence.

Providence-native Godfrey, 24, already is rated No. 25 by the World Boxing
Council. "This is a great opportunity for me," Godfey said about his match against Mateen. "I'm taking a huge step up against a fighter with more than 40 pro fights.

Everybody's going to see where I'm at; I saw him hurt (Richie) LaMontagne (May 2003 at Foxwoods) when he (LaMontagne) was good. He (Mateen) isn't the most polished fighter, but he puts his punches together."

Mateen has been idle since November 2003 when he registered an eighth-round TKO against former IBF champion Uriah Grant (for the second time) for the vacant IBU cruiserweight title. "M-16" also has defeated Joey DeGrandis, John Scully and David Telesco twice, Drake Thadzi and Steve Pannell. He fought current undisputed world cruiserweight title-holder O'Neil Bell to a draw and has been in against Antonio Tarver, James Toney and Vassiliy Jirov.

Godfrey's most impressive fight was against former NABO champion Jermell "The Truth" Barnes (17-8), a high school science teacher Matt took to school, winning every round en route to a unanimous eight-round decision (80-72 three times). Matt captured the World Boxing Council-affiliated USNBC cruiserweight title this last August with a near shutout performance (99-91, 98-92, 98-93) against Willie Herring (11-3-3), who was coming off of an impressive nationally televised draw versus highly-touted Shaun George, in Godfrey's first 10-round match.

Matt started boxing at Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket (RI) with Peter Manfredo, Jr., a finalist in the recently concluded reality television series, The Contender, and his current stablemate, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada. All three will be in action together Feb. 12 in Providence.

"We're expecting a lot bigger crowd than normal with people from all over the country," Godfrey added. "My friends (ESPN fight announcers) Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore will be there watching me fight."

Godfrey is rated No. 7 by the NABF, as well as No. 15 by the NABA and USBA.

For more information about Matt Godfrey visit his web site at
www.mattgodfreyboxing.com.

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum | Send to a friend.

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• ”Too Smooth” Godfrey Ready For Boxing’s ”M16” Mateen

  USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (10-0, 4 KOS) is locked and loaded for his Sunday night (Feb. 12) showdown against veteran Ernest "M-16" Mateen (28-11-3, 10 KOs) in >
  
  

• Godfrey Denies Boxing Reports On Cunningham Fight

  NABA and USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (12-0, 7 KOS) has angrily responded to an erroneous report on the Internet that claimed, due to a hand injury, he >
  
  

• Matt Godfrey boxing prospect no more

  With one short, powerful right hand, USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (12-0, 7 KOs) went from promising prospect to legitimate contender, stopping previously unbeaten NABA title-holder Shauna George >
  
  

• CES Boxing Prospects Predict Hasim Rahman - James Toney

  Godfrey And Estrada Predict "The Rock" Will Get Past Toney WBC United States Cruiserweight Champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey and 2004 United States Olympic Heavyweight Jason "Big Six" Estrada recently >
  
  

• Godfrey And George Heading For Foxwoods Boxing Showdown

  USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (11-0, 6 KOS) puts his title on the line against NABA cruiserweight title-older Shauna George (11-0-2, 5 KOs) in a unification bout headlining >
  
  

• Maccarinelli Faces Tough Test.

  

  Welsh cruiserweight star and current WBU champion Enzo Maccarinelli returns to the ring to fight tough American campaigner Richie LaMontagne on the 21st of >
  
  

• Matt Godfrey made name in 2006

  World cruiserweight contender Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey closes out an outstanding 2006 on December 1 with in an eight-round co-feature on "Jingle Bell Pop" against veteran Lloyd "Jabba" Bryan at >
  
  

• ”Smooth” Rodney Jones Marches Towards Title.

  Tonight, live on ESPN 2's Tuesday Night Fights boxing series, "Smooth" Rodney Jones continued his quest for a world title shot as he defeated Teddy "Two Guns" Reid via split-decision. >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Matt ”Too Smooth” Godfrey

  Too Smooth" Godfrey punching way to breakout year in 2006 PROVIDENCE (December 20, 2005) - USNBC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey (10-0, 4 KOS), already rated No. 27 by >
  
  

• Exclusive Boxing Interview: Kelvin “Koncrete” Davis

  At just 5 foot 9 inches tall, Kelvin "Koncrete" Davis, 24-4-2 (17), has had to overcome long odds during his eight year career as a boxer, competing as a heavyweight >
  
  

---