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Sport

Boxer Chris Matthews beats Antonio Horvatic with one arm

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 00:00, 01 June 2017

Kent boxer Chris Matthews won his latest fight with one arm.

Matthews - injured after a slip - boxed the final round of his lightweight contest against Croatian Antonio Horvatic with his right arm out of action.

He defied the pain to complete a 39-37 victory in front of his home crowd at Maidstone Leisure Centre last Saturday night, extending his perfect record to 7-0.

Chris Matthews takes on Antonio Horvatic at Maidstone Leisure Centre Picture: Countrywide Photographic

Matthews, 22, said: “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.

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“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!”

Chris Matthews gets to work against Antonio Horvatic Picture: Countrywide Photographic

Promoter Joe Elfidh predicted Horvatic would be a step up in class but Matthews outboxed his opponent for three rounds before seeing out the fourth with the injury.

Preparation was different with Matthews on holiday in Malta in the build-up but he stayed disciplined.

He said: “I made sure I trained in the mornings while I was away.

“I enjoyed myself at night but I only drank orange juice. I don’t really drink anyway.”

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 in Maidstone in September.

Chris Matthews on his way to a seventh straight victory Picture: Countrywide Photographic

Matthews said: “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.

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“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.

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