From a poverty struck council estate to Wembley Arena.
Professional Boxer Matt Sen has decided to call it a day following his recent bout at the SSE Arena Wembley on the Queensberry promotions show (24,7,21). The fight was against Queensberry promotions hot Polish prospect Michael Soczynski and was scheduled for 6 rounds. The contest was over in the first round as Soczynski came out to make a statement putting Sen down towards the end of the first round and then when Sen got to his feetjumping back on him before he had even got time to face him with the ref stopping the fight.
Sen's last 3 fights have ended in first-round stoppage defeats but ‘The Slugger' was up against top-level fighters in Chambers and Chamberlain and then top prospect Soczynski. His career ends with a positive record of 5 wins and 4 defeats with him picking up a British challenge belt on the way.
Matt had a very good start to his career winning his first 4 fights and claiming a British Cruiserweight Challenge Belt on the way beating Josh Burke with a fourth-round TKO. His first defeat was in his fifth fight where he seemed to be caught cold being stopped in the first round in a shock defeat against Taha Mirhosseini.
Sen changed coaches and was trained by Spencer McCracken senior and junior where he got back to winning ways beating Remigijus Ziausys on points at the Holte Suite Villa Park. Matt always had his eye on a crack at the Midlands Area Cruiserweight Title with talks of facing the likes of Josh Burke, Anthony Woolery, Dilly Singh, Rhaisian Erlington, and Dan Cooper being touted as potential opponents but for reasons unknown, these fights were never sanctioned.
Matt then asked his management to get him in fights against big names as he wanted to make memories before he retired.
Matt was offered the chance to take on then 7-0, Damian Chambers which he accepted
fighting on The Ultmate Boxxer at Altrincham Arena in Manchester Unfortunately, this didnt go his way and he was stopped in the first round. Matt was then offered an extremely short notice fight against Hennessy Sports hot prospect Isaac Chamberlain which was being aired live on Channel Five. Sen came out swinging in the first round but Chamberlain caught him with some good shots ending the fight in the first round with a TKO victory.
After Matt had announced his retirement, I managed to catch up with the Wolverhampton Slugger as he reflected on his career. Matt told me “I really have enjoyed my boxing journey with all its ups and downs and I have no regrets. Matt continued “I didn’t turn pro to become a champion I did it to have fights and entertain those watching which I think I did over the years. I have some great memories from my journey with some ups and downs but can honestly say I never refused or turned down a fight and welcomed all on comers”.
“They're so many people to thank, trainers, managers, sparring partners, and people who have supported and brought tickets. Also, my sponsors who have invested and helped along with kit makers and people who have given their advice to help. I won't sit and name everyone as you all know who you are but from the bottom of my heart - Thank You”.
“No one really wants to bow out their chosen sport off the back off a loss but hey, on a positive note this sh*t took me all the way from a council estate in Wolverhampton to fighting on the big stage at Wembley, this still blows my mind and I'm thankful”
Matt said, “Boxing has given me a profile and platform I can build from and I'm grateful along with memories and stories that can never be taken away”.
Matt is currently underway with opening a school for those who have fallen out of education and will be using boxing as an educational environment teaching young people discipline, respect, and belief within themselves.
Matt finished by saying "I've come along way. Personally, I've come from nothing, small poverty struck council estate and boxing has helped changed my life. My boxing journey had taken me from a small council estate to boxing professionally at Wembley arena, let me be the real-life example of 'anything is possible."
The Column wishes Matt all the best in his retirement and his future programs.
Dexter’s Thought’s
I met Matt when he trained with his then coach Pete Christie at Congan's Corner then known as Fightden over 4 years ago before his first pro fight. We sparred on a number of occasions and he was very eager to learn the noble art. Matt had the fundamentals of boxing down but always watched all the boxers’ different styles and always seemed to want to learn and add to his craft. He has managed to do another in his 9 fights starting at a small hall show at the Villa ground to fighting at Wembley arena and now with he intends to open a school that will incorporate boxing into it. Matt has come a long way from being a Wolverhampton roadman to ending his career at Wembley and starting an education program. This is an exciting time for Matt and myself as he has asked me to come and work at his school which I have accepted. I look forward to helping educate the next generation in any way I can.
Comments