Matt Wells was World Welterweight boxing champion 1914–1915, and British ABA Lightweight champion 1905-1907.

On March 21, 1914, in Sydney, Australia, Wells scored a 20-round victory over World champion Irish Tom McCormick to win the World, British and Empire Welterweight titles. Fourteen months later in Boston, he lost his World championship to Mike Glover by decision.

Wells held the British amateur Lightweight crown from 1905 to 1907, and represented Great Britain at the 1908 Olympic Games. He turned pro in 1909 at the age of 23, and two years later, in February 1911, defeated Freddy Welsh in 20 rounds for the British Lightweight title. Welsh, who would win the World Lightweight championship in 1914, recaptured the British Lightweight crown from Wells 10 months later.

Wells had 82 professional bouts, winning 45 (8 by KO), drew 6, lost 28 (2 by foul, 2 KO by), 3 no decisions.