Matty Harris is back - with a new trainer

Matty Harris…returns in December after shock loss

THUNDEROUS punching heavy Matty Harris returns on December 16 after his unbeaten run was snapped so dramatically.

The Coventry KO artist will fight on the undercard of Josh Kelly’s battle with South African Roarke Knapp in Sunderland.

And he will prepare for the crunch contest without Leamington trainer Edwin Cleary. Manager Max McCracken today confirmed the pair had amicably parted company and Harris has switched to Peter Fury’s gym near Congleton, Cheshire.

Max stressed: “Edwin’s done a great job with him.”

I expect Harris’ return to be fairly undemanding following his first setback after registering five wins – four by first round stoppage.

It was the nature of the July loss to Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko that raised eyebrows. Screened on TV, the 6ft 8ins colossus dropped his man in the second, then wilted dramatically. In the fifth, with Harris throwing nothing back, the ref stepped in.

McCracken, respected throughout the game, has not sugar-coated the loss. When I asked if conditioning was a factor, he replied: “I think you could see that.”

“It’s about getting Matty back in and then we’re looking for the rematch (against Dovbyshchenko) after this one,” said Max.

“He’s there (at Fury’s gym) from Monday to Thursday. It’s out of the way, there’s nothing else to do but box.

“Edwin did a great job with him. There were no issues – they’re still friends. It was just a natural split – Matty had been sparring Hughie Fury.”

McCracken believes Harris has what it takes to make a real impact.

He added: “He has a lot of potential.  He’s only 23 and has Deontay Wilder power.”

Edwin Cleary said: “I wish Matty all the best for the future. We remain friends and he still uses our gym’s strength and conditioning room every weekend – that wouldn’t happen if we’d fallen out.”