Matty Harris was dealt the first loss of his career against the odds by 10-13 Ukrainian, Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko.
Harris – who has been touted as the next big thing on the UK heavyweight scene – fought on the undercard of Lee McGregor-Erik Robles in Edinburgh, looking to progress his unbeaten run against the durable but beatable Dovbyshchenko.
After going the four-round distance in his pro debut, Harris has blasted through his last four opponents all via first round knockout.
His highlight reel has caught the attention of the top dogs, and he was drafted in by unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk as a sparring partner for a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
Dovbyshchenko’s losses outweigh his wins, but he has never been stopped, including last time out against hard-hitting prospect, Moses Itauma.
The towering Brit sent him to the canvas in the second round, but the iron-chinned Ukrainian survived and forced Harris to find another way.
That proved too much for the 23-year-old’s gas tank, and he was visibly blowing come the fourth round. The fifth saw him taking heavy shots with little resistance.
How is Harris absorbing all these 💣 from Dovbyshchenko? #McGregorRoblespic.twitter.com/FBr2EliCam
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 21, 2023
If he wasn’t hurt, he had little left to give. He was pummelled for the full three minutes, and the referee stepped in to call it.
And HE DOES IT!
Dovbyshchenko pulls off the major upset 🙌#McGregorRoblespic.twitter.com/qczLkoc5TA
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 21, 2023
Harris is now 5-1 after a contest that very few people would have picked him to lose. It’s a setback early in his career, but a potential learning fight too.
It was a harsh way to find out what happens when your power isn’t enough to end it early.