Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard

Age: 22
Born: June 12, 1986 in Manchester, CT
Hometown: Manchester, CT
Pro Record: 14-0 (7KOs)
2 Time WBC Youth Super Featherweight Champion
Former 2-Time Everlast Under-19 National Amateur Champion

Twenty-two-year-old Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard is a true throwback to the days when fighters lived, breathed, and ate boxing. All he cares about is becoming the best boxer he can and, despite a 16-month layoff due to a wrist injury, many believe more than a few title belts will be wrapped around his waist before he finally hangs up his gloves.

Remillard, recently named the NABF Top Prospect of the Year, was one of the most decorated U.S. amateur boxers during the early part of the 21st century. He passed on an opportunity to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, signing a pro contract with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

Boxing out of the Manchester PAL (CT), Matt had an outstanding 115-25 amateur record, including consecutive gold medal performances in the last two Everlast Fran Jones Under-19 National Championships. He also finished third in the 2004 National PAL Championships.

As an amateur, Remillard defeated highly rated national opponents such as highly touted lightweight prospect Brandon Rios (now 15-0, 10 KOs as a pro), John Jackson (9-1, 9 KOs) and Danny Williams (3-0, 3 KOs). Matt’s coach since his amateur days, Paul Cichon, remains in Matt’s corner as head trainer.

Matt’s scintillating pro debut April 1 2005 in New Haven ended at 2:35 of the second round when the action was halted by the referee. Remillard floored Arlington Pandy (0-2) twice with a series of straight rights and hooks en route to an impressive TKO before an enthusiastic, standing room only crowd.

Remillard beat any and all comers, notably 3-0 Ricky Alexander (KO2) and 11-fight winner Garvin Crout (TKO1), setting the stage for his first 10-round title fight (Sept. 23, 2006), when Matt captured the vacant World Boxing Council Youth super featherweight title with a unanimous 10-round decision victory against previously undefeated Jose Hernandez (6-0) in Hartford. Remillard-Hernandez was selected as the 2006 WBC Fight of the Year.

Matt, however, suffered a wrist injury in the fight against Hernandez that required surgery, which has kept him inactive since September 23, 2006. Remillard tore ligaments in his wrist that separated bones in his hand. Noted hand surgeon Dr. Steven Margles (LaheyClinic in Burlington, MA) operated, using artificial bone and pins to hold everything together. The artificial bone, however, never healed properly and Dr. Margles performed additional surgery, where he took bone from Matt’s hip to his wrist, and held it together with a screw.

During his long layoff, which cost him his title belt, Remillard rehabilitated his wrist but remained in the gym daily to stretch, run, walk and do calisthenics. Unable to use his left hand, he strengthened his right, and eventually learned how to comfortably fight as a southpaw.

The “Sharp Shooter” returned to the ring this past January with both barrels blaring, capturing the WBC Youth featherweight title via a 10-round decision against Joe Hernandez (11-3). In his last bout (March 21), Remillard won a stay-busy fight against Jesus Salvador Perez (25-18-3) by four-round decision.

“I’m not feeling any pain in my hand,” Remillard said. “I don’t hold back. If I land a punch and it hurts a little, I’ll just shake it off and keep going. My hand feels better with the nicer weather. I’d never broken a bone before, but cold and rain bothers the bone. “I’m only 22 and I’m already 13-0, so I don’t worry about how fast I’m being moved. I’m in the right place at the right time.”

Matt Remillard is promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.managed by Bret Hallenbeck, and trained by Paul Cichon.

-MR-








CONGRATULATIONS TO
MATT "SHARP SHOOTER" REMILLARD
Matt received the "NABF Young, Top Prospect of the Year" award, this past week at the NABF Convention in Arizona. (June 5, 2008)