A Royal Marine Commando, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, has recently been selected to join the Royal Navy Boxing Squad for full-time training.
Marine Matt Armstrong, from Fleet Protection Group’s S-Squadron, has been a member of HMS Neptune’s Boxing Club for the last two seasons and during that time has progressed from an inexperienced novice to a strong and capable intermediate level fighter.
A massive increase in his training routine at the beginning of this season, training under Physical Training Instructor Jim Cusick, has seen Matt secure a perfect six fight, six win record.
He first entered the Royal Marines championships in October last year and won three straight fights in two days to secure the light welter weight title, knocking down two of his three opponents in the process.
Matt’s next challenge was to take part in the Royal Navy Novices competition at HMS Drake in November. His intensive training regime meant that he entered as a light weight this time, a weight below his last entry. Nevertheless, Matt went on to win three fights in two days, easily winning the overall competition.
With these fantastic performances under his belt it wasn’t long before the Royal Navy Boxing coach recognised Matt’s talent and he has been invited to take up full-time training with the squad in Portsmouth beginning this month.
It has been a massive achievement for the Fleet Protection Group Marine, showing the high-level of dedication he has put into excelling at the sport. The Royal Navy Boxing Squad is made up of the top Royal Navy and Royal Marines fighters from all around the country and team training takes place at Portsmouth under expert instruction and guidance.
