RingSide Report

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Ringside Report Remembers Former Champion Matthew Hilton

matthew-hiltonBy Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

Matthew Hilton, 32-3-2, 24 KO’s, won the IBF World Junior Middleweight title in 1987, and brought Canada its first world boxing title since the 1940s. From Montreal, Quebec, Matthew had decent boxing skills for a brawler, he preferred to press forward, back up his opponents, and launch his pulverizing left hooks, and powerful overhand rights. Two of the biggest names he faced in his rise to stardom were former three-time world champion Wilfred Benítez and former world middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo, who both fell victim to his devastating knockout power.

One of the four brothers from the fighting Hilton clan, Matthew started boxing professionally in early 1983. He lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in a ‘movable trailer’, along with his father/trainer and members of his family.

Matthew recorded his first victory on January 25,1983, with technical knockout win over Denis Brisson at the 2:42 mark of the second round. After eleven victories over relatively soft opposition, Hilton knocked out Nino Gonzalez in the eighth round at the Montreal Forum. Gonzalez, who had entered the fight with twenty-nine wins and five losses, was only previously stopped by top contender and future world champion Duane Thomas.

Hilton, who continued to feast on weak opponents, registered a third-round stoppage over Bill “Fireball” Bradley on December 11, 1984 at the Paul Sauve Arena in Montreal. Bradley had twenty-two wins and six losses on his record going into the bout, but was stopped four times. However, Matthew’s reputation started to grow as one of the sport’s best prospects and biggest punchers.

A unanimous decision victory over Francisco de Jesus at the Montreal Forum on January 22, 1985, was a solid win for Matthew over another undefeated prospect. After two meaningless technical knockout wins, Hilton faced former middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo at the Montreal Forum on October 20th. After taking a beating through the first four rounds, Antuofermo retired in his corner after the round.

Matthew’s reputation and persona was beginning to grow within the boxing world after destroying the former world champion. Next up was another contest with a big-name opponent. On February 15, 1986, 20-year old Hilton stopped former three-time world champion Benitez at the end of the ninth round at the Paul Suave Arena. Despite losing a point in the fifth round for a low blow, Hilton kept pounding Benitez with body shots in the sixth before badly staggering the former world champion with a big hook to the head halfway through the round. However, Hilton was unable to stop his opponent, partially due to the skill of the crafty veteran, but mainly because of Matthew’s conditioning (which would trouble him later in his career).

Hilton demonstrated maturity and poise though, and knocked out Benitez near the end of the ninth round. Hilton, undaunted by the veteran’s counterpunching, connected with several left hands and a straight right, before landing a devastating left hook to finish the contest.
After six more victories over mismatched foes, Hilton set himself up for a world title opportunity. Hilton would enter the championship bout with twenty-six wins, with only five fights going the distance.

On June 27, 1987, from the Montreal Forum, Matthew Hilton defeated Buster Drayton by fifteen round unanimous decision to win the IBF World Junior Middleweight title. After knocking down the champion in the first round, Hilton would continue to press the action and dominate the contest. Judges Al DeVito (146-139) and Tom McDonough (147-138) scored the fight decisively for the Canadian, while judge Bernie Cormier seen the contest a little closer (144-140).

Hilton’s first title defense came on October 16th at Convention Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, against Jack Callahan. After two brutal rounds of punishment, the challenger retired in his corner after the second-round.

On November 11, 1988, Matthew Hilton was scheduled to make his second title defense against Robert Hines at the Las Vegas Hilton. Hilton, who was usually a fast starter, was able to drop the challenger in the second and third rounds. After knocking a bloodied Hines down twice, Hilton let Hines back in the fight. Hines steadily hammered a very tired and not very well prepared Hilton in winning a come-from-behind 12-round unanimous decision. The judge’s scorecards read 116-110,112-111 and 114 and 111 for Hine’s. It was a stunning loss for Matthew Hilton, who claimed that he was not very motivated for the fight.

On January 15,1990, though he fought gamely against Doug Dewitt for his WBO Middleweight Title, Hilton was the loser not by decision but rather by 11th- round technical knockout when his father had seen enough and did not let him fight the last round. Despite his cutman’s best effort, Hilton’s eyes were both completely closed. As a result, from the punishment accrued during the fight, he suffered from a retina injury which followed him for his next few fights before forcing him into retirement. After several unsuccessful surgeries for his eyes, his career began to sputter during the 1990s. His career never did get back off the ground, partly due to the various troubles plaguing the Hilton family.

On May 27, 1993, Matthew Hilton lost his final fight by unanimous ten-round decision to Darrell Flint at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hilton, who was unable to regain his championship-level caliber, called it quits afterwards. Hilton had a remarkable short career, but his lack of motivation prevented him from reaching his full potential.

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