Matty Harris is king of the KO merchants
Matty Harris with Anthony Joshua. He’s won last four in one round
IT’S been a staggering rise towards the top for former Asda delivery driver Matty Harris, a towering heavyweight on the fast-track to stardom after leaving a string of opponents well and truly trolleyed.
The 6ft 8ins, 18-and-a-half stone, Coventry fighter is proving the ring’s KO king, a man with pure dynamite in each fist. After winning his debut on points, the 23-year-old is on a run of four first round victories.
Last opponent Milos Veletic was dropped – like the groceries Matty once carried to doorsteps – in 23 seconds. Combined, those four contests lasted only six minutes, one second.
His trainer Edwin Clearly told me: “Matty has world class power.” Edwin should know: he also trains former Team GB heavyweight star Lewis Williams, beaten on a razor-thin split decision at the European Games this week, at his Leamington Spa gym.
Manager Max McCracken has described the prospect as the heaviest punching heavyweight in the country.
When two men as respected as Cleary and McCracken make those comments, you sit up and take notice.
Make no mistake, there are punchers and then there is Matty Harris.
Poster for Matty’s forthcoming contest
Not surprisingly, Matty, guided by major promotional group Wesserman Boxing, is carrying out his pro apprenticeship in front of TV cameras. The paying public love a big-hitting heavyweight. They don’t come much bigger than Matty.
He’s also receiving the very best sparring. The list of heavyweight stars he’s shared a ring with include Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Frazer Clarke, Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte and Hughie Fury.
Next to face the giant’s hammer fists is Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko at Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, on Friday, July 21. The Wasserman bill will be screened on Channel 5.
With a record of nine wins – six by stoppage - in 23 (one draw), the Ukrainian looks a decent test for a boxer at the start of his journey.
He’s never been stopped, but Harris looks set to test the 31-year-old’s chin like it’s never been tested before.
Harris, who had only a handful of amateur contests, is very much a work in progress.
Edwin Cleary said: I’m not really interested in the pros. I love boxing, love watching pro boxing, especially the greats. I’ve had loads (of pros) ask me over the years, but I only work with the ones who I believe will go all the way.
“I work with Matty not because he’s a heavyweight but because he’s a heavyweight with real talent.”
“I truly believe Matty has world class power. He is dynamic and explosive and can bang with both hands.
“I’m waiting for his experience to catch-up with his talent. I believe he has the talent to be heavyweight champion and then some. He has an unbelievable boxing brain. In his last fight, he asked me what hand to knock his opponent out with. I said the left hook because we’d been working on it the week before – and he left handed him.”
In an interview with Sky Sports in February, Matty said: “When you're a heavyweight, that's what it's all about. It's about getting them out of there early, especially in these early stages. That's what people pay to see. That's what draws the crowds.
"It's been a massive change. I don't think I could quite put into words how much life has changed over the past 24 to 26 months. It's been rapid. That's why you will see me dance into the ring. Because I enjoy every single second of it. I love what I do.”
He added: “My body is still developing, growing and adapting to the game. You've seen what I can do now.
"Imagine what I'll be able to do in three years' time. It's just about knowing when to push and when not to push, and consolidate your experience.
“Having the power punching ability, being able to knock someone out with a single shot - that's a gift but it can also be a curse.
"Because I can hit so hard, it's easy to neglect boxing ability. My skills are something I work on frequently to make sure that I am the complete fighter that I need to be, when the time comes.”