Moses Matovu [5-63-4]

Fans who attend small hall shows in the UK always know what to expect whenever Moses Matovu is on the card. A la' a prospect will be put through his paces and made to work hard. Moses took the time to talk to BoxingQnA.com where he shared his perspectives on the sport. Moses has had 13 fights so far in 2015 with 2 more fights currently scheduled for November.

How did you get into boxing?

I got into boxing at 12 as a representative for my dormitory for our school's sports day at Kako senior secondary school, in Uganda, and later around 1998 until 2000 I did my amateur boxing representing the Somerville boxing club in Massachusetts.

What kind of preparation do you pursue leading up to a fight given that they are all on short notice?

The kind of preparation I do now, since all my fights are short notice, is a lot of weights and a lot of running punctuated with at least three days a week in the boxing gym with my trainer Sam Wilton.

It's quite often that you make a prospect overreach or they are a bit too eager and you end up catching them with a shot on the counter. How satisfying are these moments when considering how you do not get luxury of training camps, lots of sparring, etc.?

I've been so lucky to be in some exciting fights where my boxing experience has proved worth the purpose of being hired to test the prospect. It is very satisfying as a journeyman boxer to know that I've been able to use my skills to earn my keep, but also that I'm not abused physically in the process, especially without the luxury of sponsorships, tv deals and training camps.

Do you enjoy testing a prospect?

I love testing prospects. I have made a career out of it. It isn't very dignifying to explain to people what I do for extra money every other week but it is so worth it having extra money in the house every so often.

Of course, whenever you fight, all of the attention is on the prospect and what they are able to do. With that in mind, do you feel a bit underappreciated in the sport when considering how without opponents like yourself, those prospects would not get learning fights and they would not be generating any early career hype in order to be able to build a profile?

I don't pay it any mind that the prospects I fight get all the attention leading up to the shows. On the contrary, I actually feel appreciated because of being considered as a worthy opponent for a prospect because let's be real, they are the ticket sellers and their management has to be selective about the kind of person who can generate excitement with his crowds while the prospect showcases his learned prowess and improvement. I understand what you mean. It is a very cruel world and the odds are definitely stacked against me in every fight, but the longer I have done this I've come to appreciate the business side of things. And, to be honest, I feel valued every time my manager gets a call for my services.

How often does a prospect manage to impress you on the night?

You would be surprised to hear this. A lot of people I fight I'm very impressed with because training camps like MGM Marbella have become the norm. And of course I have built myself a little reputation of being tough, so people are doing their homework before considering me for an opponent which makes my job harder. Making me work a little harder for my money.

People often credit your durability, but you are also solid defensively. Do you take pride in the fact that it's rare for a fighter to be able to stop you, and do you also get satisfaction on the occasions whenever a prospect goes all-out to try and stop you, but fails to force a stoppage?

I don't know what to say to that but like the old saying goes, "that you never find out how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have". I think I have been so lucky to pick up a few traits and ways of doing things in the ring. I think people are giving me too much credit for my survival skills.

You've taken on plenty of heavyweights over the years, often being outweighed by 30-40lbs in the process. How much more difficult are these fights in comparison to fighting cruiserweights?

With the right skills and movement it can make for an interesting fight. There is just the little issue of the weight difference. And in my experience I found fighting heavyweights a lot harder because I had to constantly be on the move to either side of them. Because I couldn't afford to fight them square which would enable them to pin me in a corner or on the ropes.

How much longer do you see yourself boxing for and do you see yourself remaining in the sport when you hang up your gloves? If not, what do you see yourself pursuing?

I have served my three year contract with Alio Wilton's Belfast promotions. And now in my fourth year with him we have an understanding that any fight now could be my last. I'm really pushing my body but I'm also listening to it and if I can't get out running or lifting weights, I will hang my gloves up.

When you do eventully walk away from the sport, how do you want fans to remember you?

When I walk away from boxing how do I want to be remembered? Well, I really do hope people remember me as exciting and worth the money they pay to watch me box and being a worthy test for all the prospects I have fought. I just hope I'm remembered as someone who represented my journeyman-boxer-culture well.

I would like to spend more time with the wife and daughter at home when I retire. And also help my sisters in Garuga Uganda to keep building a chicken farm we started a few years back to keep my mind on pursuing something.

Any final words?

Thanks for the interview.