Matthews switches back
Boxing
Chris Matthews is back training with Johnny Armour following the former world champion’s release from prison.
Matthews (7- 0) faces journeyman Joe Beeden (2-531) in his eighth professional bout at Maidstone Leisure Centre on Saturday night and will have Armour in his corner after splitting from Keith Rose.
The Maidstone boxer linked up with Rose after Armour pleaded guilty to a drug offence in January but wanted to return to his original trainer.
Matthews, now fighting at lightweight said: “Johnny’s a good trainer. He knows he did something wrong but he’s learned from that and done his time.
“Keith wasn’t too happy but I can’t help that. I wanted to get back with Johnny because he was a world champion –he’s been there and done it.
atthews has been working hard for his first six-round bout which should lead to a title fight.
As well as putting in the hours with Armour, his work as a dustman has helped him get in shape.
He said: “I’ve been doing a lot more training lately.
“I’ve been sparring 15-20 rounds and pad work for 10 rounds at a time and running up hills in Mote Park.
“I’m doing the bins as well, five days a week, which builds up the muscles.
“The lads from work are coming to watch and I’ve sold a lot more tickets this time – about 100.”
Matthews started his pro career at super-featherweight but sees his future at lightweight after beating Antonio Horvatic at the increased weight last time out.
The 22-year-old, who has won all seven of his fights on points, said: “I had been struggling to lose the weight.
“It was draining me getting down to super-featherweight. I feel stronger at lightweight.
“I’d like to get that first stoppage but I’m not going to go looking for it.
“I don’t want to rush into anything. I’m going to pick my shots.”
Matthews has added S&B Car and Van Hire to his list of sponsors and would like to thank all his backers for their support.
He still has tickets available for the eight-fight show, priced £ 35 and £ 55, which are available from his dad Ray on 07511 680092.
Other Kent fighters on the JE Promotions bill are heavyweight Dave Jones, English super-bantamweight champion Josh Kennedy, Southern Area middleweight champion Grant Dennis and two-time Southern Area challenger Martin Hillman.
Chelmsford boxer Tom McGinley completes promoter Joe Elfidh’s line-up.
Tickets will also be available on the night. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first fight at 7pm. Will Bayley had to settle for bronze in his bid to add the European Para Table Tennis Championships to his World and Paralympic titles. The 29-year-old from Tunbridge Wells faced Mykhaylo Popov in his semi-final in a repeat of the European Championship final in 2013 that the Ukrainian won. Bayley started slowly and although he fought back from” 2-0 down to level at 2-2M he could not close out the match against an in-form Popov. “He is No. 3 in the world and has been European champion before, so he is a great player,” said Bayley. “I gave it everything and it was close in the end. I reached the final in every major from 2011 to 2016 and although the bronze is not what I wanted, to get another major medal makes me proud. “I need to look forward now towards the World Championships and try and improve again.”