By Dean Parr
Harry Matthews, the 7-0 (1 KO) prospect from Pocklington in York, caught up with Boxingscene to discuss several topics, including his next opponent Alex Spitko, who he will fight on the 27th November, as well as talking about what the future has in store.
In his last outing, Harry defeated journeyman Duncan Cottier (3-53-3) in what was the biggest show in York for over ten years. While Matthews is proud of being a key part in such a big show, he was disappointed with his performance on the night.
Matthews declared: “I was proud to box on the show and everyone was there, but I wasn't proud of my performance, not by the least. The guy that I fought was a bit negative, and he brought me down a level with him. I had a few problems on that day. I won every round but I didn't look as good as I could have.”
The 'Pocklington Rocket' also alluded that the weight as a problem for him in that fight. “I'd been worrying about the weight; I managed to make the 11st 4lb weight, but I wasn't at my strongest with weighing in on the day,” he explained.
“When it comes to on the day weigh-ins now, I'll weigh between 11st 7lb and 11st 9lb, although when it comes to title fights, when I've got 36 hour weigh ins, I'll either diet and boil down to 11st or bulk up a little bit and boil down to 11st 6lbs from 12st 4lb or something like that.”
With regards to title fights, when Matthews was asked about when he would like a shot at some gold, he didn't seem to be too concerned with rushing into an opportunity. “Everyone keeps asking me this,” he declared. “I don't know really. Whenever my trainer thinks I'm ready. I'm just going to take each fight as it comes, learn from it, have a decent rest between each fight and work on my mistakes.”
He continued: “Sometimes I just need to relax and carry on taking my time as the rounds are going to get longer. Obviously, as the rounds get longer, I seem to get better anyway - I'm a little bit of a slow starter sometimes and it takes my body a bit longer to get warmed into it because I get lactic acid in my shoulders sometimes, but maybe the longer fights are going to suit me better.”
Next up for him is Alex Spitko. Matthews is moving up in weight for this and while Spitko's 6-18 (4 early) record is unimpressive, he is strong and durable, and will consequently represent a step up in class for Matthews.
On the fight, Matthews stated: “It's a nice little step up and what I need. Obviously people talk about Alex Spitko, he's this, he's that, he's rated number one in Latvia and he's got a good reputation, so it's a good little scalp for my record. This helps me move up a level and people are going to take me a bit more seriously once I've got a win against him under my belt. It's a fight for the public to get excited about and it's a good one.”
Matthews isn't at all fazed by the prospect of dealing with the strength of Spitko either. He continued: “Because I'm boxing at the higher weight, I'll be fit and maybe I'll put on a bit of extra muscle. I just feel a bit more solid so obviously the shots will pay off a bit more and give me a bit more knockout power. With a guy that's going to come and try to trade blows with me, I want to be nice and solid, but at the same time, I'm not going to stand there and trade all the time - I'm going to hit and move and use my boxing ability at it's best.”
According to the Pocklington man, the fact this fight will be fought over six-twos suits him. “I can do six-twos in my sleep and can go six rounds with the majority of people out there - I don't care who they are,” he claimed.
“I've been up to the England camp a few times and I remember sparring with Billy Joe Saunders once and I thought I held my own against him alright. He boxed on a bad performance against Spitko and managed to outpoint him. Lee Noble, a rival of mine who I want to fight eventually, he's beaten Spitko in a good fashion so obviously I want to take him as a scalp myself and move on to bigger and better things.”
Should he pass this test, Matthews will fight on Goodwin Promotions' debut show on 13th March 2010. He has a very clear idea of who he wants to fight on that one.
“They were talking about an Iranian opponent at first which sounded like a bit of a crowd pleaser, but then obviously me and Lee Noble haven't exactly seen eye to eye and we've had a war of words, so I think they are thinking of putting me in with him on the March show. That would be good; it gives me from January to March to train for him and obviously he's a guy I don't like so there's a bit of a grudge match there. He's a bit disrespectful to his opponents so I'd like to fight him.”
Harry also had a final message for his loyal supporters. He said: “If it wasn't for the people that come to support me then I wouldn't be getting to where I am and making as much of a name for myself as I am, so for anybody who ever buys a ticket - I appreciate that and thanks very much.”
Tickets for Matthews vs. Spitko at the Gemtec Arena in Hull are priced at £25 and can be bought by contacting Harry Matthews on (01759) 306055 or on 07944 972015. Former England U-21 International Curtis Woodhouse also features.