MATT Floyd suffered horrific abuse as a child, before becoming a vigilante paedo hunter — landing him behind bars, where he taught himself the art of boxing.
He’s taking on two-time IBF super-middleweight world champion . Here’s everything you need to know.
Matt Floyd is a former paedo hunter who learned to box in prison
Matt is set to face two-time IBF super-middleweight world champion James DeGale in bare knuckle boxing
Who is Matt Floyd?
Matt Floyd is a professional boxer who goes by the nickname “The Jedi”.
His moniker comes from his affinity with Star Wars and its themes, reflecting both his fighting style and mindset.
He was born Matthew George Floyd in Bedford Park, South Australia on March 22, 1989.
Before his boxing career, Floyd had a troubled and complex past.
As a child, he experienced severe trauma, having been placed in homes where he suffered abuse.
He escaped these institutions many times, eventually becoming involved in street gangs and later leading a powerful crew when he was still in his early teens.
Floyd has spoken openly about his vigilante actions against paedophiles, including kidnapping offenders, which contributed to his prison sentence.
He told Boxing News: “The gang helped me kidnap paedophiles.
“I was already sort of doing it on the sly on the side, but I got obsessive about it.
“I dedicated my life to getting as many paedophiles as I could.
“Everyone hates paedophiles, but I really, really hate them because of what happened when I was a child.
“I never got over it, I just buried it, I had this deep-rooted hatred for them.
“We were kidnapping as many of them as we could, and we did a pretty good f***ing job of it to be fair!
“Eventually we got set up and we got done and ultimately it caused me to spend most of my twenties in prison.”
Floyd has described boxing as a transformative outlet that helped him redirect his life and channel his struggles into a professional sport.
He also opened his own gym in Perth called Pinky’s, which he uses to help at-risk youngsters.
Everyone hates paedophiles, but I really, really hate them because of what happened when I was a child
Matt FloydBoxing News
The Jedi said: “Since I have been released from prison, I have instead dedicated my life to my gym [Pinky’s].
“We’ve taken kids off of the street, probably a few hundred, and we have changed the lives of at least 50 per cent of them.
“Some play professional football, some are professional fighters or some we have just got working.”
Floyd started his professional career in 2021 and quickly established himself as a powerful and relentless fighter.
He is known for his awkward style and heavy punching power, traits he developed while training himself in prison, spending hours a day practicing in front of a mirror in his cell.
Most of his bouts end in early knockouts, while Floyd has never been knocked out in his career to date.
He boasts an impressive record of 15 wins, 2 losses and 0 draws — and one of those losses was very controversial, to say the least.
The setback in question was a split-decision ‘loss’ to Sirimongkol Singmanasak in October 2024, which most observers felt he won convincingly.
Floyd said: “It was supposed to be an American, Australian and a Thai judge, but it ended up being three Thai judges.”
“I won every single round bar maybe one and I lost the fight.
Poster for upcoming bare knuckle boxing event
“It got reviewed straight away and it’s been turned around, five judges have said that I definitely won, but it still hasn’t been changed on BoxRec.”
Despite these challenges, Floyd has captured titles including the WBO world title and the WBC Asia title.
He was set to fight in March 2025.
But Floyd said despite agreeing terms and making a good offer to his team, the fight became a “nightmare” and was cancelled because Fury ultimately pulled out.
Before it was called off, Floyd said: “I want to fight the best in the world, and I know by fighting Tommy Fury, he is my gateway to that.
“Once I fight him, I can probably call out the best in the world straight away rather than having to fight another 10/15 fights, that is just the way it is.”
When is Matt Floyd fighting James DeGale?
Floyd will make his debut in the (BKFC) on September 27, 2025, at the AO Arena, Manchester.
He is set to face two-time IBF super-middleweight world champion , who boasts a boxing record of 25 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, with a knockout ratio of roughly 60 per cent.
Floyd said: “I respect what DeGale has achieved, but this is bare knuckle. I’m coming to shock the world in Manchester.”
While DeGale announced his comeback with a confident message on social media reading: “UK I’m back. This time the gloves are off.
“Everyone asking what version you’re getting… 7 years out, body healed, mind sharp — it’s the best one yet.
“Demolition pending. See you in the circle @bareknucklefc.”
