Matty Stevens has become accustomed to hitting the net on a regular basis in Sky Bet League Two, but as our new striker reveals, things could have been far different.
That’s because the 26-year-old hails from a family that has a strong boxing background. Matty’s grandfather Les was a professional, fighting names such as John Conteh in the mid-1970s, whilst his Dad runs a boxing club that the striker himself still attends in the off-season.
A career in boxing was something Matty pursued right up until the age of 15, with his undefeated record featuring four national titles, the ABAE Schools national title and the GB Schoolboy 3 Nations title. This was all achieved alongside cutting his teeth at youth level in football with Aldershot Town, Farnborough and Reading.
Watch the first interview with Matty below!
“I was at Reading off the back of winning the 3 nations title and they told me I had to decide between the two,” explains the striker. “I chose to give football a go in the knowledge that if things didn’t come off, boxing would be my fallback.
“You can’t leave a football academy and then walk back through the door a few weeks later. I gave it a go and I think sitting here now, it’s been the right choice.”
Despite the fact that boxing is an individual sport, Matty maintains that a lot of the skills he has picked up in the ring can be transferred to the pitch.
“There’s no feeling like boxing in terms of nerves,” he said. “I’m obviously sometimes nervous before games because I want to score and win but in comparison to entering the ring and knowing someone’s wanting to take your head off – it helps to prepare you!”
His sporting success has stretched to the football pitch, having previously lifted the League Two title with Forest Green Rovers in 2021/22.
Now with the Dons aiming to regain our place in League One, Matty believes the sky is the limit for us in 2024/25.
Watch a selection of Matty’s best goals from his career so far!
“I played against Wimbledon a couple of times last season and I believe we’ve got the potential to do something similar,” said the striker. “Good team bonding, good staff and training hard day in day out are crucial and then you’ve got to have a bit of luck along the way. It’s tough but it’s possible.
“This club is massive. The history and the fans behind it speaks for itself. The manager wanted to sign me on loan a couple of years ago – it’s the right time for me now. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
