Normally Hall of Famers have several championships or titles to their name, but Matt Smith is rather different. He has only been fighting for a year and is currently trying to break into Class B fights, but nearly all his fights have been seen by Billionmore’s Ron Simpson who has been enormously impressed with his ability, his style and his attitude.

       Matt was something of a late starter in Muay Thai and his first fight was in the Lee Smith Memorial Show at Newton Aycliffe in September 2009, his victory over Wayne Broadhead achieved by spectacular long kicks and proving a fine climax to the show. This followed a couple of none too successful amateur kickboxing bouts, but kick-started an undefeated run of four fights. That took Matt to Dean White’s Batley show on May Bank Holiday weekend. His opponent, Joel Buckles (Way of Life), had scored a knockout win on the same Lee Smith Show and Matt expected an open aggressive approach and was confident he could keep him at long range. However, Joel’s spoiling style and greater strength in the clinches took him by surprise and in the 4th and 5th rounds he had little to offer and took a fair amount of punishment. A reminder that Matt is still a novice, though a very talented one, and he learnt the lesson that you always need a Plan B!

       Matt’s attitude is excellent. He trains at least six times a week and hopes to fit it as many fights as possible this year to move up to A Class; in fact he was due back in the ring at Bolton three weeks after the Buckles fight. Unfortunately it was cancelled when his opponent dropped out. He loves Muay Thai and gives great credit to his coaches, Paul and Anth, for constantly teaching him new things and improving his work, plus giving him confidence through their positive attitude. The Bolton cancellation means no fights for Matt before his summer break, but his plans for late 2010/early 2011 include a month or two training full-time in Thailand.

      This candidate for the Hall of Fame falls into the ‘before they were famous’ category, but Billionmore is delighted to support Matt Smith and confident that, in time, he will make a name for himself in Muay Thai.


      On September 19th, 2010, Matt really justified Billionmore's confidence in his ability. In Bolton, in only his sixth fight and only a year after his first, he won a majority decision over the experienced and highly rated Tommy Turbine (Salford Muay Thai) to claim the Goldenbelt English title.