CES Boxing: Matt Godfrey Returns Home After Educational Loss In Germany

NABF Cruiserweight Champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, 16-1 (9), has been boxing professionally for four years, after a lengthy amateur career, but his ring education reached another level last month in Germany, albeit in defeat.

As the No. 1 rated contender in the WBC, Godfrey was matched against No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj in a 12-round WBC Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger to title-holder David Haye. Kraj won a unanimous 12-round decision by scores of 117-111, 116-113, and 115-113.

Fighters react differently to adversity, especially a first loss; they generally come back stronger than ever because of the experience or fold-up and end-up nothing more than a club fighter. The 27-year-old Godfrey says he’s learned valuable lessons about himself and boxing that will help make him a world champion in the not too distant future.

“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.”

“The loss wasn’t devastating to his career,” Godfrey’s manager Bret Hallenback explained, “as long as he’s learned and that depends on how he comes back. It’s too early to say right now, but it’s no more than one loss, and I strongly believe he learned a lot. One thing he learned is that he’s not invincible, which will put pressure on him in future fights.

“It was a huge eye-opener for him. Matt has to be aggressive and use the skills and power he definitely has. It was an education. He took a loss, not a beating, and I have no doubt that he learned a valuable lesson. We need to get him into a big fight to prove his last fight wasn’t the norm, but more of a fluke, and an education for him.”

Godfrey was second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, compiling a 194-23 amateur record, including six national championships — four open tournaments highlighted by the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments [National Golden Gloves, Police Athletic League, U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge].

His most notable wins as a pro were devastating stoppages of highly-touted prospects Shaun George and Felix Cora, Jr. on national television. Matt was riding high until he fought Czech Republic native Kraj in Germany.

“I was terribly disappointed with my first loss, 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 as if I was preparing for a fight. I want to fight the top guys, on television, and get back to where I belong.”

Once rated No. 1, Godfrey dropped to No. 7 after his loss, which surprised Godfrey’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.). “I don’t understand why he’s rated any lower than No. 3,” Burchfield noted. “He lost a close 12-round decision to the No. 2 guy and dropped all of the way to No. 7? I don’t get it. Matt won the championship rounds. He took over the fight but started off too slow and ended-up finishing just a little short. There’s no question that this experience is going to make him an even better fighter.”