CES Boxing: Matt Godfrey Back In Action In Sacramento

NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey has headed west for Saturday night’s 10-round, non-title fight against former World amateur champion “Famous” Michael Simms outdoors at the Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento, California.

NABF champion Godfrey (19-1, 10 KOs) is rated No. 3 by the IBF, as well as WBC #5, WBA #12 and WBO #15.

The Providence native, ranked No. 10 by The Ring magazine, has had sensational knockout victories on ESPN Friday Night Fights against Emmanuel Nwodo, Shaun George, and Felix Cora, Jr.

Sims (20-11-2, 13 KOs) was the 1999 World and U.S. amateur light heavyweight champion, defeating current heavyweight title challenger David Haye in the world championships.

“I’m staying busy and showing everyone I don’t want to sit back waiting for the guys in suits to put together a title fight or eliminator involving me,” Godfrey said after returning from training camp.

“Everything talked about won’t happen until 2010. I don’t want to wait all winter, so I’m going to keep everything going forward, working hard on different things to improve myself.

“Simms isn’t going to lie down. I’m preparing for the same guy who beat David Haye in the amateurs and was world champion. I can’t look past him. I just came back from three weeks at camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, where Muhammad Ali used to train.

“There are a lot of great memories up there and nothing to do but train. I was running those hills and sparring with Travis Kaufman, who is 6-4 and can fight from both sides. Simms is 6-2 and he changes sides, left to right, with the wind.

“This fight will serve as a good measuring stick for things we’ve been working on. I’m prepared to take care of business in Sacramento.”

Go to www.cesboxing.com for more information about Classic Entertainment and Sports and/or Matt Godfrey.