10:00am Tuesday 19th January 2010
By Steve Carroll
BOXER Harry Matthews is set to get an Olympic education in his bid to be ring-master in 2010.
The Pocklington Rocket has revealed he is hoping to have sparring sessions with Beijing gold medallist James DeGale and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion Ajose Olusegun.
In addition to weekday sessions with York trainer Glenn Banks, Matthews is now spending weekends in Finchley, London, where he has linked up with Steve Goodwin Promotions.
Boasting an 8-0 record, the 21-year-old is next in the ring on March 13 at Stadium MK, in Milton Keynes, where he is the chief support bout on a card highlighting the comeback of former World, British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Graham Earl.
Matthews, who will be fighting at middleweight, is being lined up for a tough six, three-minute round test against an, as yet unnamed, international opponent.
And with that test still on the horizon, he is hoping to learn from DeGale, the undefeated middleweight who also has a 2006 Commonwealth bronze medal to go with his 2008 Olympic gold, and Olusegen, who is undefeated in 27 professional fights.
Matthews, whose last fight was a comfortable 59-56 points win over Davey Hones in Hull late last year, said: “I might be sparring with James DeGale. That’s going to give me a great edge.
“I am not dismissing Glenn as a trainer but I needed to bring someone else in. I am churning through the week with Glenn and, from Fridays to Sunday, I am working in London.
“I trained my first week in London and I am starting to realise I have got power I didn’t think I had. I have knockout power, I just need to learn to use it.
“I am learning better technique and I am learning to plant my feet better. When I do that I have got the power.”
Matthews says he hopes to take at least 100 York fight fans to Milton Keynes.
To join them, phone Matthews on 07944 972015.
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