Young lawyer packs a punch - Boxer Sam out to prove he has brains as well as brawn

20th July 2015

Professional boxer Sam Matkin has a knockout career out of the ring.

He is a trainee solicitor fighting the corner of clients at Wosskow Brown. Sam was in the ring throwing punches when his hidden potential were spotted by the law firm. Senior partner Michael Wosskow was at a boxing show Sam was competing in, discovered he was a law student and offered him an interview. He showed up with a couple of black eyes and a swollen nose - but still got the job. -The interview was sprung on me days after the fight by my manager Dennis Hobson. I was in a tracksuit and still nursing the battle scars, said Sam. -Thankfully it didn't put them off. They employed me one day a week through university. The 23-year-old from Mosborough is well aware that boxers are usually renowned for their brawn, not their brain. -I know people assume we're a bit thick. It's good to prove the opposite, said Sam, who gained a 2:1 in law and went on to study a Masters in Law and Practice. before joining Wosskow Brown full-time last year as a legal assistant. He began his lawyer training contract this April. Sam discovered the sport aged 12 on a visit to Steel City gym at Manor Top. He boxed as an amateur for Brendan Ingles and became a Yorkshire champion but took a year out at 17 to focus on his A levels at Eckington Comprehensive. He turned pro with trainer Sean Thickett while studying law at at the University of Huddersfield, has won nine of his ten fights and now has his sights on an English title fight this autumn. But he's not putting the day job on the ropes. -Balancing my boxing with my full-time career has been hard at times but becoming a commercial lawyer is my priority. Instead of fighting my own corner, I want to fight other people's. He regularly turns up for work with a black eye. Said Sam: -Clients understand though. They know I'm a boxer, not a rough 'un. Wosskow Brown now sponsor Sam's boxing career and allow him time off around fights. Said managing partner Ian Brown: -We have a strong ethos of supporting sport among our staff, and also through our charitable foundation. We believe it teaches individuals great discipline and unites people and communities. We are all rooting for Sam when he has a fight on the horizon. To learn more about Sam Matkin, check him out on our website: http://www.wosskowbrown.co.uk/about/our-people/residential-property/sam-matkin To get in touch with our Commercial Department please call: 0114 256 6577 or email: business@wosskowbrown.co.uk