Maidstone's unbeaten super-featherweight Chris Matthews moved up to 7-0 with a points win in his latest fight with just one working arm.
The injured 22-year-old had to box clever in the final round of his four-round lightweight contest against Croatian Antonio Horvatic (10-38) with his right arm out of action after a slip.
He defied the pain to complete a 39-37 victory in front of his home crowd at Mote Park Leisure Centre in Maidstone last Saturday night, extending his perfect record to 7-0.
Matthews explained, “I fell under the rope as I ducked and as I tried to hold on to make sure I didn’t fall out of the ring, I pulled my arm.
“It was pretty painful. I couldn’t pull it up to block my face – I couldn’t move it at all.
“The arm was dropped but I was able to keep him away with my jab.
“It makes it even better to win like that – at least I know what I can do with one arm now!”
Promoter Joe Elfidh – a former pro known as 'The Morrocan Machine' – predicted Horvatic would be a step up in class but his 130-pound charge outboxed his opponent for three rounds before seeing out the fourth with the injury.
The Horvatic fight was made at lightweight but he’ll be dropping back to super-featherweight for his first six-round bout, which is set to be held again in Maidstone in September. Matthews has competed in every Kent-based JE Promotions show since his debut in July 2015 – the first three at Medway Park in Gillingham, the following four at Mote Park.
Matthews commented on what's next, “I’ll have a week off then I’ll be back in the gym. I’m sure the arm will be ok. It’s just bruising now.
“It’s definitely a six-rounder next and I’ll be back at super-featherweight.
“I hit hard at lightweight but I feel I hit even harder at super-feather.
“That’s my natural weight so I prefer that. It should be a title fight after that.”
Matthews would like to thank everyone who bought tickets, along with all his sponsors.