Chris Gilbert escaped with an eight round unanimous decision by three scorecards of 76-75 in a close back and forth action packed bout over Steve Matthews. Windsor, Vermont native, Gilbert, improved to 12-1, 9KOs and got back into the win column following a lost in his last outing to Daniel Sostre. Matthews, from Greensboro, North Carolina, fell to 4-1, 2KOs.
Matthews controlled the first round and then Gilbert landed a devastating right hook that knockdown Matthews in the next round. Matthews barely beat the count as the bell rang ending the round. This was the first knockdown he has suffered as a professional. Matthews went after Gilbert in the third round and for the next six rounds, it was great two way action between these two fighters, as they both landed significant punches and the momentum shifted back and forth. Matthews was the more active boxer and landed the crisper punches in the fight while Gilbert connected on the more powerful shots. This was Gilbert`s fourth time fighting at the “Fight to Educate” event. Hopefully both of these junior middleweights can box one another in a rematch in the near future.