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{{short description|Canadian world champion boxer (b. 1965)}}
{{short description|Canadian boxer}}
{{multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=February 2011}}
{{Original research|date=November 2008}}
}}
{{Infobox boxer
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Matthew Hilton
|name=Matthew Hilton
| image =
|image=
| image_size =
|image_size=
|caption=
| alt =
|realname=
| caption =
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1965|12|27|mf=y}}
| realname =
|birth_place=[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| nickname =
|nationality=
| weight = [[Light Middleweight]] <br> [[Middleweight]]
|nickname=
| height = 171cm
|weight={{plainlist|
| reach = <!-- "X in" or "X cm" (conversions are automatic) -->
*[[Light middleweight]]
| nationality = [[Canadians|Canadian]]
*[[Middleweight]]}}
| birth_name =
|height=5 ft 7+1/4 in
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|12|17}}
|reach=68 in
| birth_place = [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], Canada
|style=[[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|year of death|month of death|day of death|year of birth|month of birth|day of birth}} -->
|total=37
| death_place =
|wins=32
| style = [[Orthodox Stance|Orthodox]]
|KO=24
| total = 37
|losses=3
| wins = 32
|draws=2
| KO = 24
|no contests=
| losses = 3
| draws = 2
| no contests =
| website =
| medaltemplates =
| show-medals =
| embed = <!-- "yes" allows infobox embedding -->
}}
}}

'''Matthew Hilton''' (born December 27, 1965) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former [[Boxing|boxer]]<ref name="nyt88">{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0717F8355C0C778CDDA80994D0484D81|title=Boxing; Hearns Has Shot at 5th Title|last=Berger|first=Phil|date=4 November 1988|work=[[New York Times]]|access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref> who was the IBF Junior Middleweight Champion of the World. He is the younger brother of former super middleweight world champion, [[Dave Hilton Jr.]]
'''Matthew Hilton''' (born December 27, 1965) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former [[Boxing|boxer]] who was the IBF light-middleweight champion of the world. He is the younger brother of former super middleweight world champion, [[Dave Hilton Jr.]]


He started boxing professionally in early 1983, and while doing so lived (along with his father/trainer and other family members) a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in a 'movable trailer.'
He started boxing professionally in early 1983, and while doing so lived (along with his father/trainer and other family members) a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in a 'movable trailer.'


==Fighting style==
==Fighting style==
It was tough growing up for Hilton, but he transferred that toughness to the ring, at least as his career started. Though Matthew had decent boxing skills for a brawler, he preferred to press forward, back up his opponents, and detonate his punishing left hooks, and powerful overhand rights. Two of the big names he faced in his rise to stardom were former 3-time world champion [[Wilfred Benítez]] and former world middleweight champion [[Vito Antuofermo]], who both fell victim to his devastating KO power. He won the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] junior middleweight title, and brought Canada its first world boxing title since the 1940s, with a 15-round unanimous decision over defender [[Buster Drayton]]<ref name=nyt88/> on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in Montreal, June 27, 1987, which was also named [[KO Magazine]]s ''TV Fight of the Year'' for 1987. He made one defense on the [[Mike Tyson|Tyson]]-[[Tyrell Biggs|Biggs]] undercard on [[HBO]] in October of that year, busting and bruising up a totally outclassed '''Jack Callahan''' before the referee called things off after two rounds. His next fight was an exciting non-title bout on [[ESPN]] in the middleweight division against '''Paul Whitaker''' of [[New Orleans]], who was knocked down and brutally battered by Hilton before being KO'd in the fourth round. Matthew then apparently had the upper hand in the early going in his next defense - a November 1988 matchup with [[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]] on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].
It was tough growing up for Hilton, but he transferred that toughness to the ring, at least as his career started. Though Matthew had decent boxing skills for a brawler, he preferred to press forward, back up his opponents, and detonate his punishing left hooks, and powerful overhand rights. Two of the big names he faced in his rise to stardom were former 3-time world champion [[Wilfred Benítez]] and former world middleweight champion [[Vito Antuofermo]], who both fell victim to his devastating KO power. He won the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] junior middleweight title, and brought Canada its first world boxing title since the 1940s, with a 15-round unanimous decision over defender [[Buster Drayton]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in Montreal, June 27, 1987, which was also named [[KO Magazine]]s ''TV Fight of the Year'' for 1987. He made one defense on the [[Mike Tyson|Tyson]]-[[Tyrell Biggs|Biggs]] undercard on [[HBO]] in October of that year, busting and bruising up a totally outclassed Jack Callahan before the referee called things off after two rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/10/16/Matthew-Hilton-of-Montreal-scored-a-second-round-knockout-of/3273561355200/|title=Matthew Hilton of Montreal scored a second-round knockout of...|publisher=United Press International|access-date=2024-05-17}}</ref> His next fight was an exciting non-title bout on [[ESPN]] in the middleweight division against Paul Whitaker of [[New Orleans]], who was knocked down and brutally battered by Hilton before being KO'd in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-30-sp-6514-story.html|title=Hilton Scores TKO Over Whittaker|publisher=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2024-05-17}}</ref> Matthew then apparently had the upper hand in the early going in his next defense - a November 1988 matchup with [[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]] on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].


After knocking a bloodied Hines down twice, he let Hines back in the fight, and Hines steadily hammered a very tired and not very well prepared Hilton in winning a come-from-behind 12-round unanimous decision, after which Hilton would be champ no more. Hilton admitted after the fight that he had sustained rib injury during training for that fight (''Between rounds, Hilton could be heard telling his father that he couldn't throw his left hand''). Matthew later rebounded with a lackluster (though controversial) draw against '''Fermin Chirino''', a bout in which many felt that Matthew had won by a 10-round unanimous decision, followed by two more exciting bouts against journeyman '''Tim T. Williams''' (on [[ESPN]]), who was KO'd in round 10, and [[Tennessee]] toughman '''Knox Brown''', who had only previously been down at the hands of [[John Mugabi]], and was again floored by Hilton in a 10-round decision victory on the [[USA Network]]. His last crack at a title was on the '''Foreman–Cooney''' undercard in January 1990, when his eyes were again swollen shut by the punches of defending [[WBO]] middleweight titlist [[Doug DeWitt]].
After knocking a bloodied Hines down twice, he let Hines back in the fight, and Hines steadily hammered a very tired and not very well prepared Hilton in winning a come-from-behind 12-round unanimous decision, after which Hilton would be champ no more. Hilton admitted after the fight that he had sustained rib injury during training for that fight (''Between rounds, Hilton could be heard telling his father that he couldn't throw his left hand''). Matthew later rebounded with a lackluster (though controversial) draw against Fermin Chirino, a bout in which many felt that Matthew had won by a 10-round unanimous decision, followed by two more exciting bouts against journeyman Tim T. Williams (on [[ESPN]]), who was KO'd in round 10, and [[Tennessee]] toughman Knox Brown, who had only previously been down at the hands of [[John Mugabi]], and was again floored by Hilton in a 10-round decision victory on the [[USA Network]]. His last crack at a title was on the Foreman–Cooney undercard in January 1990, when his eyes were again swollen shut by the punches of defending [[WBO]] middleweight titlist [[Doug DeWitt]].


==Injuries and Retirement==
==Injuries and Retirement==
This time, though he fought gamely, Hilton was the loser not by decision but rather by 11th-round TKO when his father had seen enough and did not let him fight the last round. Hilton's eyes were both swollen completely closed. His cutman only had ice to decrease the swelling, which was ineffective. Because of that fight, he suffered a [[retina]] injury which followed him for his next few fights before forcing him into retirement. Hilton received many unsuccessful surgeries for his eyes. His career began to sputter during the 1990s, and, partly due to the various troubles plaguing the Hilton family, Hilton never was really able to regain his championship-level caliber. He said he's never been as much motivated for training after he won the IBF's belt against Buster Drayton.
This time, though he fought gamely, Hilton was the loser not by decision but rather by 11th-round TKO when his father had seen enough and did not let him fight the last round. Hilton's eyes were both swollen completely closed. His cutman only had ice to decrease the swelling, which was ineffective. Because of that fight, he suffered a [[retina]] injury which followed him for his next few fights before forcing him into retirement. Hilton received many unsuccessful surgeries for his eyes. His career began to sputter during the 1990s, and, partly due to the various troubles plaguing the Hilton family, Hilton never was really able to regain his championship-level caliber. He said he's never been as much motivated for training after he won the IBF's belt against Buster Drayton.


==Professional boxing record==
==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
{{s-start}}
|draws=2
|nc=
|ko-wins=24
|dec-wins=8
|ko-losses=1
|dec-losses=2
}}
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
|align="center" colspan=8|'''32 Wins''' (24 knockouts, 8 decisions), '''3 Losses''' (1 knockout, 2 decisions), '''2 Draws''' [http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9739&cat=boxer]
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|-
|37
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Result'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Record'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Opponent'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Type'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Round'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Date'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Location'''
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Notes'''
|-align=center
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–3–2
|32–3–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Darrell Flint
|align=left|Darrell Flint
|UD
|UD
|10
|10 (10)
|27/05/1993
|27/05/1993
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Halifax Forum]], [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax, Nova Scotia]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Halifax Forum]], Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|36
|{{draw}}Draw
|{{draw}}Draw
|32–2–2
|32–2–2
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Daigle
|align=left|Kevin Daigle
|PTS
|SD
|10
|10 (10)
|11/02/1992
|11/02/1992
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Verdun, Quebec]]
|align=left|{{small|Verdun, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–2–1
|32–2–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Clarence White
|align=left|Clarence White
|UD
|UD
|10
|10 (10)
|12/11/1991
|12/11/1991
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Verdun Auditorium]], [[Verdun, Quebec]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Verdun Auditorium]], Verdun, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–2–1
|31–2–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Knox Brown
|align=left|Knox Brown
|UD
|UD
|10
|10 (10)
|31/07/1990
|31/07/1990
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Northlands Agricom]], [[Edmonton, Alberta]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Edmonton Expo Centre|Northlands AgriCom]], Edmonton, Alberta, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|33
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{no2}}Loss
|30–2–1
|30–2–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Doug DeWitt]]
|align=left|[[Doug DeWitt]]
|RTD
|RTD
|11
|11 (12)
|15/01/1990
|[[George Foreman vs. Gerry Cooney|15/01/1990]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Atlantic City Convention Center]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
|align=left|{{small|Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|For [[WBO]] World Middleweight Title}}
|align=left|{{small|For [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] middleweight title}}
|-
|-
|32
|{{draw}}Draw
|{{draw}}Draw
|30–1–1
|30–1–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|Venezuela}} Fermin Chirino
|align=left|Fermin Chirino
|PTS
|SD
|10
|10 (10)
|19/12/1989
|19/12/1989
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Caesars Atlantic City]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Caesars Atlantic City|Caesars]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–1
|30–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Tim Williams
|align=left|Tim Williams
|TKO
|TKO
|10
|10 (10)
|10/10/1989
|10/10/1989
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Bally's Las Vegas]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Horseshoe Las Vegas|Bally's Las Vegas]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|30
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{no2}}Loss
|29–1
|29–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]]
|align=left|[[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]]
|UD
|UD
|12
|12 (12)
|04/11/1988
|[[Thomas Hearns vs. James Kinchen|04/11/1988]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Las Vegas Hilton]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|align=left|{{small|Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost IBF World Light Middleweight Title}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost IBF light-middleweight title}}
|-
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0
|29–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Paul Whittaker
|align=left|Paul Whittaker
|TKO
|TKO
|4
|4 (10)
|29/07/1988
|29/07/1988
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Caesars Palace]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|28–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Jack Callahan
|align=left|Jack Callahan
|TKO
|RTD
|2
|2 (15)
|16/10/1987
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Tyrell Biggs|16/10/1987]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Boardwalk Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained IBF World Light Middleweight Title}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained IBF light-middleweight title}}
|-
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|27–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Buster Drayton]]
|align=left|[[Buster Drayton]]
|UD
|UD
|15
|15 (15)
|27/06/1987
|27/06/1987
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Montreal Forum]], [[Montreal]], Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[IBF]] World Light Middleweight Title}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] light-middleweight title}}
|-
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|26–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Muhammad Eltassi
|align=left|Muhammad Eltassi
|TKO
|TKO
|2
|2 (10)
|29/04/1987
|29/04/1987
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Paul Sauve Arena]], Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|25–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} William Clayton
|align=left|William Clayton
|KO
|KO
|2
|2 (10)
|[[Tim Witherspoon vs. James Smith II|12/12/1986]]
|[[Tim Witherspoon vs. James Smith II|12/12/1986]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City]]
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|24–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Franklin Owens
|align=left|Franklin Owens
|TKO
|TKO
|2
|2 (10)
|22/11/1986
|[[Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson|22/11/1986]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Las Vegas Hilton]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|align=left|{{small|Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|23–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Aniseto Ramos
|align=left|Aniseto Ramos
|PTS
|PTS
|10
|10 (10)
|[[Hector Camacho vs. Edwin Rosario|13/06/1986]]
|[[Hector Camacho vs. Edwin Rosario|13/06/1986]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Madison Square Garden, New York City
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|22–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Bobby McCorvey
|align=left|Bobby McCorvey
|KO
|KO
|1
|1 (10)
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Mitch Green|20/05/1986]]
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Mitch Green|20/05/1986]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Madison Square Garden, New York City
|align=left|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|21–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Bruce Jackson
|align=left|Bruce Jackson
|TKO
|RTD
|5
|5 (10)
|[[Michael Spinks vs. Larry Holmes II|19/04/1986]]
|[[Michael Spinks vs. Larry Holmes II|19/04/1986]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Las Vegas Hilton]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Westgate Las Vegas|Las Vegas Hilton]], Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|20–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} [[Wilfred Benítez]]
|align=left|[[Wilfred Benítez]]
|KO
|KO
|9
|9 (10)
|15/02/1986
|15/02/1986
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|19–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Vito Antuofermo]]
|align=left|[[Vito Antuofermo]]
|RTD
|RTD
|4
|4 (10)
|20/10/1985
|20/10/1985
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|18–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Lopez McGee
|align=left|Lopez McGee
|TKO
|TKO
|4
|4 (10)
|06/09/1985
|06/09/1985
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Tamiami Park|Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium]], [[Miami, Florida]]
|align=left|{{small|Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|17–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} Roberto Hernandez
|align=left|Roberto Hernandez
|TKO
|TKO
|9
|9 (10)
|29/04/1985
|29/04/1985
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]], [[Buffalo, New York]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]], Buffalo, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|16–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Francisco De Jesus
|align=left|Francisco De Jesus
|UD
|UD
|10
|10 (10)
|22/01/1985
|22/01/1985
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|15–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Bill Bradley
|align=left|Bill Bradley
|RTD
|RTD
|3
|3 (10)
|11/12/1984
|11/12/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|14–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Sam Gervins
|align=left|Sam Gervins
|UD
|UD
|10
|10 (10)
|14/10/1984
|14/10/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|13–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Haiti}} Ronald Thermidor
|align=left|Ronald Thermidor
|TKO
|TKO
|2
|2 (10)
|10/07/1984
|10/07/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|12–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Nino Gonzalez
|align=left|Nino Gonzalez
|KO
|KO
|8
|8 (10)
|01/06/1984
|01/06/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|11–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Reggie Ford (boxer)|Reggie Ford]]
|align=left|[[Reggie Ford (boxer)|Reggie Ford]]
|TKO
|TKO
|1
|1 (10)
|30/04/1984
|30/04/1984
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Hall|Hall de l'Exposition]], [[Quebec City, Quebec]]
|align=left|{{small|Hall de l'Exposition, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|10–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Eddie Hollett
|align=left|Eddie Hollett
|TKO
|TKO
|5
|5 (10)
|04/12/1983
|04/12/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|[[Montreal Forum]], Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|9–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Hardy Jones
|align=left|Hardy Jones
|RTD
|RTD
|5
|5 (8)
|10/11/1983
|10/11/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Jones retired after the fifth round.}}
|align=left|
|-
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|8–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Frank Mackey
|align=left|Frank Mackey
|TKO
|TKO
|3
|3 (6)
|23/08/1983
|23/08/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Sports Palace|Le Carrefour Sports Centre]], [[Laval, Quebec]]
|align=left|{{small|Le Carrefour Sports Centre, Laval, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|7–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Harold France
|align=left|Harold France
|KO
|KO
|3
|3 (6)
|29/07/1983
|29/07/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Cornwall, Ontario]]
|align=left|{{small|Cornwall, Ontario, Canada}}
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|6–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Clinton Harris
|align=left|Clinton Harris
|KO
|KO
|4
|4 (6)
|21/06/1983
|21/06/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|5–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Mike Essett
|align=left|Mike Essett
|UD
|UD
|6
|6 (6)
|24/05/1983
|24/05/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|4–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Jacques DeBlois
|align=left|Jacques DeBlois
|TKO
|TKO
|3
|3 (4)
|26/04/1983
|26/04/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|3–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Frank Minnigan
|align=left|Frank Minnigan
|UD
|UD
|4
|4 (4)
|29/03/1983
|29/03/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|2–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Adrian Green
|align=left|Adrian Green
|TKO
|TKO
|3
|3 (4)
|15/02/1983
|15/02/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|
|-
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|1–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Denis Brisson
|align=left|Denis Brisson
|TKO
|TKO
|2
|2 (4)
|25/01/1983
|25/01/1983
|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
|align=left|{{small|[[Paul Sauvé Arena]], Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Pro Debut}}
|align=left|
|}
|}

==See also==
*[[List of boxing families#Canada|Notable boxing families]]
*[[List of world light-middleweight boxing champions]]


==References==
==References==
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{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach | ach}}
{{Succession box|
before=[[Buster Drayton]]|
title= [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] [[List of super welterweight boxing champions|Light Middleweight boxing champion]] |
after=[[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]]|
years=June 27, 1987 &ndash; 4 November, 1988}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Davey Moore (boxer, born 1959)|Davey Moore]]<br>22}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Buster Drayton]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[List of super welterweight boxing champions|Youngest Junior Middleweight Champion]]<br>21 | years=June 27, 1987 &ndash; February 5, 1989}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of IBF world champions#Junior middleweight|IBF light-middleweight champion]]
{{s-aft| after=[[Darrin Van Horn]]<br>20}}
|years=June 27, 1987 – November 4, 1988}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Robert Hines (boxer)|Robert Hines]]}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Davey Moore (boxer, born 1959)|Davey Moore]]<br>22}}
{{s-ttl|title=Youngest light-middleweight champion<br>21
|years=June 27, 1987 – February 5, 1989}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Darrin Van Horn]]<br>20}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian male boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Montreal]]
[[Category:Boxers from Montreal]]
[[Category:Anglophone Quebec people]]
[[Category:Anglophone Quebec people]]
[[Category:Canadian male boxers]]
[[Category:World light-middleweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:International Boxing Federation champions]]

Latest revision as of 21:33, 17 May 2024

Matthew Hilton
Born (1965-12-27) December 27, 1965 (age 58)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7+1⁄4 in (171 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins32
Wins by KO24
Losses3
Draws2

Matthew Hilton (born December 27, 1965) is a Canadian former boxer who was the IBF light-middleweight champion of the world. He is the younger brother of former super middleweight world champion, Dave Hilton Jr.

He started boxing professionally in early 1983, and while doing so lived (along with his father/trainer and other family members) a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in a 'movable trailer.'

Fighting style[edit]

It was tough growing up for Hilton, but he transferred that toughness to the ring, at least as his career started. Though Matthew had decent boxing skills for a brawler, he preferred to press forward, back up his opponents, and detonate his punishing left hooks, and powerful overhand rights. Two of the big names he faced in his rise to stardom were former 3-time world champion Wilfred Benítez and former world middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo, who both fell victim to his devastating KO power. He won the IBF junior middleweight title, and brought Canada its first world boxing title since the 1940s, with a 15-round unanimous decision over defender Buster Drayton on ABC in Montreal, June 27, 1987, which was also named KO Magazines TV Fight of the Year for 1987. He made one defense on the Tyson-Biggs undercard on HBO in October of that year, busting and bruising up a totally outclassed Jack Callahan before the referee called things off after two rounds.[1] His next fight was an exciting non-title bout on ESPN in the middleweight division against Paul Whitaker of New Orleans, who was knocked down and brutally battered by Hilton before being KO'd in the fourth round.[2] Matthew then apparently had the upper hand in the early going in his next defense - a November 1988 matchup with Robert Hines on Showtime.

After knocking a bloodied Hines down twice, he let Hines back in the fight, and Hines steadily hammered a very tired and not very well prepared Hilton in winning a come-from-behind 12-round unanimous decision, after which Hilton would be champ no more. Hilton admitted after the fight that he had sustained rib injury during training for that fight (Between rounds, Hilton could be heard telling his father that he couldn't throw his left hand). Matthew later rebounded with a lackluster (though controversial) draw against Fermin Chirino, a bout in which many felt that Matthew had won by a 10-round unanimous decision, followed by two more exciting bouts against journeyman Tim T. Williams (on ESPN), who was KO'd in round 10, and Tennessee toughman Knox Brown, who had only previously been down at the hands of John Mugabi, and was again floored by Hilton in a 10-round decision victory on the USA Network. His last crack at a title was on the Foreman–Cooney undercard in January 1990, when his eyes were again swollen shut by the punches of defending WBO middleweight titlist Doug DeWitt.

Injuries and Retirement[edit]

This time, though he fought gamely, Hilton was the loser not by decision but rather by 11th-round TKO when his father had seen enough and did not let him fight the last round. Hilton's eyes were both swollen completely closed. His cutman only had ice to decrease the swelling, which was ineffective. Because of that fight, he suffered a retina injury which followed him for his next few fights before forcing him into retirement. Hilton received many unsuccessful surgeries for his eyes. His career began to sputter during the 1990s, and, partly due to the various troubles plaguing the Hilton family, Hilton never was really able to regain his championship-level caliber. He said he's never been as much motivated for training after he won the IBF's belt against Buster Drayton.

Professional boxing record[edit]

37 fights 32 wins 3 losses
By knockout 24 1
By decision 8 2
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
37 Loss 32–3–2 Darrell Flint UD 10 (10) 27/05/1993 Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
36 Draw 32–2–2 Kevin Daigle SD 10 (10) 11/02/1992 Verdun, Quebec, Canada
35 Win 32–2–1 Clarence White UD 10 (10) 12/11/1991 Verdun Auditorium, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
34 Win 31–2–1 Knox Brown UD 10 (10) 31/07/1990 Northlands AgriCom, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
33 Loss 30–2–1 Doug DeWitt RTD 11 (12) 15/01/1990 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBO middleweight title
32 Draw 30–1–1 Fermin Chirino SD 10 (10) 19/12/1989 Caesars, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31 Win 30–1 Tim Williams TKO 10 (10) 10/10/1989 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30 Loss 29–1 Robert Hines UD 12 (12) 04/11/1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Lost IBF light-middleweight title
29 Win 29–0 Paul Whittaker TKO 4 (10) 29/07/1988 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28 Win 28–0 Jack Callahan RTD 2 (15) 16/10/1987 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBF light-middleweight title
27 Win 27–0 Buster Drayton UD 15 (15) 27/06/1987 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Won IBF light-middleweight title
26 Win 26–0 Muhammad Eltassi TKO 2 (10) 29/04/1987 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
25 Win 25–0 William Clayton KO 2 (10) 12/12/1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Franklin Owens TKO 2 (10) 22/11/1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Aniseto Ramos PTS 10 (10) 13/06/1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Bobby McCorvey KO 1 (10) 20/05/1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Bruce Jackson RTD 5 (10) 19/04/1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Wilfred Benítez KO 9 (10) 15/02/1986 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
19 Win 19–0 Vito Antuofermo RTD 4 (10) 20/10/1985 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
18 Win 18–0 Lopez McGee TKO 4 (10) 06/09/1985 Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Roberto Hernandez TKO 9 (10) 29/04/1985 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Francisco De Jesus UD 10 (10) 22/01/1985 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
15 Win 15–0 Bill Bradley RTD 3 (10) 11/12/1984 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
14 Win 14–0 Sam Gervins UD 10 (10) 14/10/1984 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
13 Win 13–0 Ronald Thermidor TKO 2 (10) 10/07/1984 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
12 Win 12–0 Nino Gonzalez KO 8 (10) 01/06/1984 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
11 Win 11–0 Reggie Ford TKO 1 (10) 30/04/1984 Hall de l'Exposition, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
10 Win 10–0 Eddie Hollett TKO 5 (10) 04/12/1983 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
9 Win 9–0 Hardy Jones RTD 5 (8) 10/11/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8 Win 8–0 Frank Mackey TKO 3 (6) 23/08/1983 Le Carrefour Sports Centre, Laval, Quebec, Canada
7 Win 7–0 Harold France KO 3 (6) 29/07/1983 Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
6 Win 6–0 Clinton Harris KO 4 (6) 21/06/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5 Win 5–0 Mike Essett UD 6 (6) 24/05/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
4 Win 4–0 Jacques DeBlois TKO 3 (4) 26/04/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3 Win 3–0 Frank Minnigan UD 4 (4) 29/03/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2 Win 2–0 Adrian Green TKO 3 (4) 15/02/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1 Win 1–0 Denis Brisson TKO 2 (4) 25/01/1983 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Matthew Hilton of Montreal scored a second-round knockout of..." United Press International. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ "Hilton Scores TKO Over Whittaker". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-17.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by IBF light-middleweight champion
June 27, 1987 – November 4, 1988 		Succeeded by
Records
Preceded by Youngest light-middleweight champion
21
June 27, 1987 – February 5, 1989 		Succeeded by
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