Salem fighter wins Golden Gloves title with help from Lynn MMA trainer

Talk about career diversification.Matthew “The Green Mantis” Doherty of Salem is already an up-and-coming mixed martial-arts (MMA) fighter who has a title fight on the line next month. Well, as of last week, Doherty, who trains at the “Team Pradal Serey” gym on Astor St. in Lynn, can also call himself a champion in a different discipline: Boxing.With training help from Saroeum Phoung of “Team Pradal Serey,” the 23-year-old Doherty, who checked in at 5-6, 141 pounds, won a regional Golden Gloves welterweight title in Lowell on Tuesday, Jan. 31.Click here for a photo gallery.”After the first fight, it built up my confidence,” Doherty, a 2007 graduate of Salem High, said. “I realized the way we train is superior no matter where we go and compete.”Indeed, his trainer would back him up on that.”We are a well-respected team, gym, fighters and coaching staff,” Phoung said. “It is our second time getting involved in Golden Gloves and we (did) really well this year. It means a lot because we are not a boxing gym.”However, boxing is one of the disciplines incorporated in the mixed martial arts Phoung teaches in his dojo (studio) to students like Doherty. Other disciplines include jiujitsu, wrestling, karate and kickboxing.Doherty came to “Team Pradal Serey” a little over a year ago.”He was training in a garage and did not know how to do (anything),” Phoung said. Now, he added, he has seven MMA amateur fights under his belt, plus a top ranking among New England amateurs and hopes for a professional career.”I have a title fight in MMA on March 17,” Doherty said regarding his decision to enter the Golden Gloves, which take place every January. “It was a long way away. I wanted to stay busy. (The Golden Gloves) might be the last opportunity to do it if I go pro.”While Phoung said that Doherty’s year or so of fighting experience is “not a long time,” he did add that the caliber of Doherty’s competition is strong. Phoung also cited several of Doherty’s personal strengths.”He’s unconventional because he (does) MMA,” Phoung said. “He’s very aggressive, in-your-face, like (former boxing champ and Lowell native) Micky Ward. He has a strong jaw. You (could not) knock him out. In the end, he always got the best of them.”Doherty agrees.”Definitely, I’m an in-your-face type,” he said. “I’ll take your hit and stand there and exchange with you. It makes me more focused.”Doherty’s preparation consisted in part of “punching bag work, mitt work, shadow-box work, wrestling, footwork and jiujitsu,” Phoung said.Golden Gloves fights consist of three 2-minute rounds based upon a points system. The goal is to collect the most points from a 3-judge panel. Fighters wear not only gloves, but also head guards.Doherty posted wins in his first two fights, then advanced on a disqualification. His foe in the finals was, ironically, a fellow mixed martial-arts fighter.”I tried to bring the same intensity, but I couldn’t fight the same,” Doherty said. “I had to change and adapt, counter with a jab or 1-2, stay outside.”Doherty said that after his first-round win, “I knew the fight was going my way.” He ended up winning all three rounds to take the final by unanimous decision.”I had a lot of fans,” Doherty said. “I kept hearing my nickname chanted. It was an extra push. There were a lot of people I didn’t know pulling for me to win.”Of course, Doherty made sure he mentioned the support of several people he knows very well: his mother Sherree, his twin brother Mike, and their older brother Chris. In fact, his siblings might have provided him with some of the stamina he would draw on years later in the Golden Gloves.”I take a hit and eat ’em,” Doherty said. “My brothers used to beat me up as a kid.”From what Phoung says, it sounds like Doherty has matured quite a bit.”He’s worked really hard and put a lot of time and effort into it,” Phoung said. “It’s a life-changing experience for him. He’s living with a higher purpose ? Boxing is another way to test his skills and level