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 (11-0-2, 5 KOs) in the first round of their recent unification bout on ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Godfrey, 25, added another regional belt to his growing collection as well as moving into the No. 15 position in the World Boxing Association ratings. He’s also ranked No. 26 by the World Boxing Council and No. 1 in the North American Boxing Federation.

“I beat a very polished boxer a lot of guys wouldn’t fight because he’s so slick,” Godfrey said about George. “It was exciting knocking him out in the first round. It let everybody know I’m for real. Right now, I’m just looking at guys ranked ahead of me with very good records — only one or two losses — who maybe have a belt around his waist. I’m collecting those. I figure within 18 months, I’ll have 17-18 fights, and be fighting for a world title.”

In addition to George, Godfrey already had a few name victims on his resume, such as former IBU champion Ernest “M-16” Mateen and ex-NABO title-holder Jermell “The Truth” Barnes.

“Matt only needs about four or five more fights to be in position for a major world title fight,” Godfrey’s manager Bret Hallenbeck added. “At this point he’s ready to fight for any available titles. Any critics he may have had are silenced after the George fight. He’s ready for just about anybody in the top 15.”

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