By Michael J Jones
UNDISPUTED recently spoke to Yorkshire hope Harry Matthews ahead of his rematch with A.A.Lowe on December 3. The two middleweight contenders clash for the vacant British Masters belt in Lowe’s hometown of Newark, Nottinghamshire. It will be the third time the two have fought; Matthews won the first six-round contest before both fighters fought to a hard-earned draw last September.
The last fight saw both men fight hard and keep up a remarkable pace; a draw seemed a fair result after a spirited and entertaining battle.
Now training with fellow Yorkshireman Nick Manners at the new Precise Accurate Training gym in Leeds, Harry is eager to set the record straight against the 8-6-1 (1) Lowe. Matthews, 11-3-1 (2), has benefited from a terrific camp as well as top-quality sparring with British champion Prince Aaron and commonwealth welterweight champion Denton Vassell.
Super-fit, well-schooled and with improving power, here’s what “The Pocklington Rocket” had to say.
1) How is training going for the Lowe rematch?
HM) It’s going really good. Me and my trainer Nick have been working on different things like building up my stamina. Last time I thought I did enough to win but they gave it a draw. I thought I was well up (on points) at the end but admit I made a few mistakes that we’ve been working on correcting. I’ve also been doing a lot more sprint work, building up that stamina.
2) How much did it affect you last time having the opponent changed at relatively late notice (Lowe was a late replacement for Rocky Chakir)?
HM) It didn’t really affect me at all, I mean, I’d already beaten Andrew so it wasn’t a problem fighting him again. It wasn’t the opponent change, (that made it close), it was just I eased off in the later rounds. I thought I only lost a couple of rounds but at the end of the day, that fight gave me a kick up the arse. This time I’m looking to step up the pace in the second half of the fight.
3) What do you hope to do differently in the third fight that you didn’t do last time tactically?
HM) I hope to be busier, I don’t want to give too much away about tactics but my movement will be better this time. One thing I wanted to work on was when I throw my punches; in the last fight I was throwing shots but staying in position for when he threw his back; I think it probably caught the judges’ eyes a bit. Andrew is a fit lad and has a high work-rate but he’s not the greatest of boxers. He’s not that fast and he’s getting on a bit at 31. I’m only 23 so it should be me getting stronger as the fight goes on if anything. I’m going for it this time, coming to win in style.
4) You’ve had great sparring for this fight, how has working with Prince Aaron and Denton Vassell helped you prepare for the rematch?
HM) Well, with Denton, he brings pressure and fitness, he’s strong too. With Aaron he’s 6’3” so if I can get my shots off on him then it’ll be no problem on Lowe (who’s 5’11”). With both guys, they hit cleanly and often so it’s raised my fitness levels much higher. You also need mental strength to spar with them as mistakes are swiftly punished. I see both of them guys as a much higher class than Andrew, so of course it’s going to raise my confidence
5) The last two fights with Lowe have taken place in Yorkshire, yet the next bout will be in his hometown or Newark. Are there any worries of fighting in his backyard this time?
HM) No not at all, no worries or doubts, if anything the pressure is off me this time. All the pressure is on him, he’s going to be running around selling tickets and all that but I’m just focussing on winning that title and nothing else.
All the hard work is done now, we’re just putting the finishing touches on a good camp and I know 100% that I’m going to beat him.
6) You’ve been with former pro Nick Manners now for a little while, would you say Nick’s one of the unsung trainers in the UK?
HM) Yeah definitely. Nick’s been in the game a long time and knows the sport inside and out. I was very lucky to find him when I did, I was travelling miles to train beforehand but now his gym is just down the road. Nick’s helped me a lot with my boxing and also helped me out of the ring too. He’s a great mentor to have.
7) Would you be willing to offer a prediction to your fight with A.A. Lowe?
HM) Prediction? A late stoppage win (for me).
8) If all goes well against Lowe, how would you like your career to go afterwards?
HM) Ideally, I’ll beat Lowe and then defend my Masters title on March 24th next year in Leeds. That date has already been pencilled in by my promoter Mark Bateson. After that defence, the only fight I want is with Nick Blackwell (who outpointed Harry last year for the English belt). We’ve got unfinished business, I took the last fight on only two weeks notice and didn’t box as well as I can. I want him again to set the record straight.
9) Thanks Harry good luck for next month.
HM) Thanks.
Note: A.A. Lowe’s name is Andrew, but he had to abbreviate it as there was already a boxer called Andrew Lowe when he turned pro.
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