Future options for Matt Skelton

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 17 Jul 2005, 12:53

Okay, so Skelton is 38 and has the British and Commonwealth titles. Clearly he doesn't want to hang around, but fights with Audley and Danny are now unobtainable, so what does he do now? The only other domestic contender with half a chance is Sprott, and who wants to see that again? I wonder if Skelton v Vidoz could be made for the EBU title, Skelton could win that one but Sprott would have to be financially persuaded to step aside. Or will Frankie invest some cash in a run towards a "Big 3" title? Maybe get an Oleg Maskaev kind of guy over here to fight Skelton.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 17 Jul 2005, 12:59

I chipped in an answer to this on the current scene a short while ago.

Williams and Harrison we have to discount. Skelton couldn't barge into a fight with Vidoz - I'm sure Vidoz will fight Sprott. If Sprott wins that, then a Skelton rematch may be a fairly safe bet.

But whilst having the Brit/Comm/EBU titles is no mean feat, Skelton will want that world title fight.

Don't know how much credibility was in the title shot for the winner of last night's fight - perhaps for the novelty WBA if your in some way linked to beating Tyson title - but that may be out of the question now with Williams out of the scene.

One possibility which just came into my head as I was writing - Skelton-Krasniqi if the latter wins the WBO?

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 17 Jul 2005, 13:05

jomothepure wrote:One possibility which just came into my head as I was writing - Skelton-Krasniqi if the latter wins the WBO?

Once upon a time maybe, but I'm not sure Frankie has that much clout with the WBO these days who seem to have shifted their affections to bigger things in Germany and the States.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 17 Jul 2005, 14:30

I expect Skelton to avoid the Euro scene and attempt a minor "world" title, watching him maul with Krence brings him home how he would struggle at world level even with the current crop of no marks.

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 17 Jul 2005, 14:33

He's already had the WBU belt though. That's the problem with the WBO elevating themselves to better standards, there's no handy "second-tier" belt for Britons to win.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 21 Jul 2005, 17:36

Can Skelton still be a British title and fight for the WBA title - I know he wasn't stripped when he fought for the WBU title, but is it the same for the WBA.

I cannot see him getting any better, so why not go for the biggie with the British title (and a chance to win a lonsdale) to fall back on if he fails.

I don't expect him to beat Ruiz, but his confidence must be at an all time low losing to two middleweights.

Okay, I know the statos will say it was a NC vs Toney, but in reality it was a loss.

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 21 Jul 2005, 17:50

stujones wrote:Can Skelton still be a British title and fight for the WBA title - I know he wasn't stripped when he fought for the WBU title, but is it the same for the WBA.

A British title holder has to vacate his belt if he wants to retain a world title, however tinpot. Skelton was given the choice by the BBBoC to either vacate the Lonsdale or the WBU, for once common sense prevailed and he binned the WBU.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 21 Jul 2005, 18:53

Hesketh Vampire wrote:
stujones wrote:Can Skelton still be a British title and fight for the WBA title - I know he wasn't stripped when he fought for the WBU title, but is it the same for the WBA.
A British title holder has to vacate his belt if he wants to retain a world title, however tinpot. Skelton was given the choice by the BBBoC to either vacate the Lonsdale or the WBU, for once common sense prevailed and he binned the WBU.

So he can still be British champion and CHALLENGE for the WBA title. Should he win, then I expect he wouldn't care much for his British belt.

ABA Boxing · Post by **ABA Boxing** » 21 Jul 2005, 18:59

Like every one says no chance of Williams or Harrison
(i think those two should get it on now)

Skelton V Samuel Peter
Skelton V Kirk Johnson

Or a European title against Luan Krasniqi. If he wants to move on to World Title shots either Lamon Brewster or Calvin Brock would be a good one with 2 undefeated fighters.
A name like Hasim Rahman with his fights with Lewis will gain him some attention.

Then move his ass up if all goes well against John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and Vitali Klitschko by which time Audley Harrison might beat him to it then they will have to fight.

Two UK fighters fighting for the Undisputed heavyweight championship!

Take it all back

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 22 Jul 2005, 04:41

Skelton Vs Ruiz is mouthwatering

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 22 Jul 2005, 05:47

Vassiley Jirov. Lets see how relentless Skelton really is.

Oleg Maskaev. Lets see how good Skelton's chin really is?

Derrick Jefferson. Lets see if Skelton is as strong as we think?

Oliver McCall. Lets see if Skelton really can punch?

Ray Mercer. All of the above.

There you go 5 heavyweights I'd say are gatekeepers to the top 20.

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 22 Jul 2005, 07:41

Why not go after Dominick Guinn or Michael Grant

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 22 Jul 2005, 07:54

Foggy wrote:Why not go after Dominick Guinn or Michael Grant

I don't think the risk/reward is quite right for Guinn, but for Grant it is a possibility.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 22 Jul 2005, 08:03

DavidPayne wrote:Vassiley Jirov. Lets see how relentless Skelton really is.

Oleg Maskaev. Lets see how good Skelton's chin really is?

Derrick Jefferson. Lets see if Skelton is as strong as we think?

Oliver McCall. Lets see if Skelton really can punch?

Ray Mercer. All of the above.

There you go 5 heavyweights I'd say are gatekeepers to the top 20.

Ray Mercer!!! He's 43 mate, are you kidding me? He's fat, inactive, and shouldn't be rated in the top 40 let alone top 20.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 22 Jul 2005, 08:04

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
DavidPayne wrote:Vassiley Jirov. Lets see how relentless Skelton really is.

Oleg Maskaev. Lets see how good Skelton's chin really is?

Derrick Jefferson. Lets see if Skelton is as strong as we think?

Oliver McCall. Lets see if Skelton really can punch?

Ray Mercer. All of the above.

There you go 5 heavyweights I'd say are gatekeepers to the top 20.
Ray Mercer!!! He's 43 mate, are you kidding me? He's fat, inactive, and shouldn't be rated in the top 40 let alone top 20.

Agreed James, also say the same for Jefferson his chin is just china now.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 22 Jul 2005, 08:05

Whatever your thoughts on Ruiz he would beat Skelton pretty easily I think.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 22 Jul 2005, 08:08

nickd wrote:Whatever your thoughts on Ruiz he would beat Skelton pretty easily I think.

I agree, but I still would like to see it happen. Personally I cannot see Skelton beating many of the Europeans - Kransiqi, Sam, maybe Vidoz aswell.

I don't think he will win the title, but at 38 surely he has got to go for it if its a possibility. Why not make the huge step if he has the British belt to fall back on.

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 22 Jul 2005, 08:11

I think they just gotta throw him in the deep end now and see if he sinks or swims, you cant piss around with a bloke who is near 40 can ya

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 22 Jul 2005, 09:48

Future options?

Lose weight & learn to box!!!!

Joking aside; he needs Harrison & Williams, but as neither if them like fighting, that is a long long long shot!

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 22 Jul 2005, 12:09

stujones wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
DavidPayne wrote:Vassiley Jirov. Lets see how relentless Skelton really is.

Oleg Maskaev. Lets see how good Skelton's chin really is?

Derrick Jefferson. Lets see if Skelton is as strong as we think?

Oliver McCall. Lets see if Skelton really can punch?

Ray Mercer. All of the above.

There you go 5 heavyweights I'd say are gatekeepers to the top 20.
Ray Mercer!!! He's 43 mate, are you kidding me? He's fat, inactive, and shouldn't be rated in the top 40 let alone top 20.
Agreed James, also say the same for Jefferson his chin is just china now.

Interesting that Mercer just won a ten round decision by shutting out game, though average, Darrol Wilson in June then.

At 43, he's about the same age as Skelton then.

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 22 Jul 2005, 14:30

DavidPayne wrote:Interesting that Mercer just won a ten round decision by shutting out game, though average, Darrol Wilson in June then.

At 43, he's about the same age as Skelton then.

LOL. Actually any of the guys you listed would be okay for Skelton in my book. Yeah they ain't no world-beaters but then neither is Skelton. But the guy is game, and so while he's still under 40 he should be pitched in with anybody half-decent who'll take him on.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 24 Jul 2005, 16:52

Skelton should forget Krasniqi, he would never win a decision in Germany and i think Krasniqi would probably beat him anyway...isn't Krasniqi down to face Brewster anyway next?

ILikeBeer · Post by **ILikeBeer** » 25 Jul 2005, 02:56

It's a pity that Herbie Hide is talking about going down to cruiserweight. But then I imagine that fight wouldn't be made either, anyway.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 26 Jul 2005, 12:31

[quote="Syntax Error"]Future options?

Lose weight & learn to box!!!!

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 26 Jul 2005, 12:32

Syntax Error wrote:Future options?

Lose weight & learn to box!!!!

Joking aside; he needs Harrison & Williams, but as neither if them like fighting, that is a long long long shot!