Looks like Julius Francis in the New Year for Skelton

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 12 Nov 2003, 13:33

Matt Skelton has taken the domestic heavyweight division by storm in his first year as a professional, winning all 10 of his bouts by way of knockout.
The hard-hitter from Bedford is hoping to extend that record when he takes on Romanian Patriche Costel in Beyreuth, Germany, in front of the Sky TV cameras on Saturday night as chief support to Johnny Nelson's WBO cruiserweight title defence against Alexander Petkovic.
And manager Kevin Sanders holds his fighter in such high regard that he hasn't even bothered to check the Romanian's fight credentials.
''I couldn't even tell you his name never mind his record. But what I can tell you is that he's no match for Matt,'' said Sanders.
''I'm certain there's nobody in Britain to worry him - and that includes Audley Harrison - and I don't think there's anybody in Europe who can steady him either.
''He's like a runaway train and, you mark my words, it's a train that won't stop until it reaches the very top.
''I said this kid was dynamite the first time I saw him in the gym and took him away from kick-boxing. He was a world champion at that and I reckon he can do the same in professional boxing.
''We've made massive statements already but are being avoided. The big guns - boxers like Audley Harrison and Danny Williams - will have to meet us soon.''
Skelton won the English heavyweight title in only his eighth professional fight and in his last contest three weeks ago he disposed of Ratko Draskovic.
Olympic super-heavyweight champion Harrison had an unconvincing points win over the Yugoslav in his 10th pro fight whereas Skelton stopped him in the third round at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium.
''It was an awesome display,'' enthused Sanders, who jointly manages Skelton with London promoter Eugene Maloney.
Now 34-year-old Skelton has high hopes of clinching a shot at Danny Williams' British title in 2004.
First the plan is to defend his English crown in the New Year against Julius Francis, the former British heavyweight champion who famously took on Mike Tyson in 2000.
''And if Francis thinks Tyson punches hard . . . well, let's just say he ain't seen nothing yet,'' said Sanders.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 12 Nov 2003, 13:41

Skelton is exciting and has lit a fire under the devision domestically, make no mistake, but Sander's comments are misleading.

He was the leading lit in terms of Muay Thai domestically but was exposed on the worls stage more then once, including being ko'ed by punches.

ave to say I admire him maurading come forward style for such a big man and his high ounch output. He should have too much for a shopworn Julius and stop him by the half way mark.

Michaeljpoole · Post by **Michaeljpoole** » 12 Nov 2003, 13:54

I agree with TT

Skelton will have too much for Francis, but it will be interesting to see how he reacts under a bit of pressure, seeing he hasnt really been hit yet.

Even though Julius isn't a world beater, the one thing about Francis is though, he will expose you if you arent a decent prospect. Just ask Steffan Nieslen of Denmark.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 12 Nov 2003, 14:03

skelton should win this fight early,

francis will be the first fighter that will hit and land back and francis still has wins in him.

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 12 Nov 2003, 14:51

I personally believe that Julius really does not have anything left, his performance against Sam was extremely poor and he was put down with, in my opinion an average Body shot.

skelton looks good and i like his attitude to keeping active, a couple more fights and he should be ready to move up in level. I think that he could give the likes of hide and williams big trouble, providing he can prove a solid chin behind that truck load of power.

Francis, unless he really can roll back the years, will become cannon fodder for Matt.

Provided that matt does not ages overnight i believe he takes Francis out within 3 rounds, most likey on his feet, ended on a referee stoppage.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Nov 2003, 15:05

Your probably right there power, he's on a run of 4 defeats and his last 9 fights don't make for good reading 2-7-1. When you look at it like that it doesn't look good for his future.

However, he's still a good name, will teach Skelton a thing or two ans still his defeats have been to good calibre opposistion. Remember he faight Sam with broken Ribs (which was silly, but that was his last chance) and apparently alot of the decisions have been close.

I think Skelton will learn alot more from going 6-7 rounds with Francis (which I still think he'll do) than endless KO's. Holden taught him alot (i.e. how to pace a fight), Francis will do the same.

However, I don't think Francis either has the ambition or fire power to win this fight at this stage.

Skelton KO 7.

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 12 Nov 2003, 15:08

stujones wrote:Your probably right there power, he's on a run of 4 defeats and his last 9 fights don't make for good reading 2-7-1. When you look at it like that it doesn't look good for his future.

However, he's still a good name, will teach Skelton a thing or two ans still his defeats have been to good calibre opposistion. Remember he faight Sam with broken Ribs (which was silly, but that was his last chance) and apparently alot of the decisions have been close.

I think Skelton will learn alot more from going 6-7 rounds with Francis (which I still think he'll do) than endless KO's. Holden taught him alot (i.e. how to pace a fight), Francis will do the same.

However, I don't think Francis either has the ambition or fire power to win this fight at this stage.

Skelton KO 7.

I agree the experiance that he will gain from fighting francis will be good. For that reason i hope it is not a blowout and he does extend him into the middle or even later rounds.

However with Skeltons constant barrages and Julius seemingly lack of motivation i really cannot see this going very far.

However, as you said, julius is a good name and Matt is doing everything really that harrison should have done.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Nov 2003, 15:15

The_Power wrote:
stujones wrote:Your probably right there power, he's on a run of 4 defeats and his last 9 fights don't make for good reading 2-7-1. When you look at it like that it doesn't look good for his future.

However, he's still a good name, will teach Skelton a thing or two ans still his defeats have been to good calibre opposistion. Remember he faight Sam with broken Ribs (which was silly, but that was his last chance) and apparently alot of the decisions have been close.

I think Skelton will learn alot more from going 6-7 rounds with Francis (which I still think he'll do) than endless KO's. Holden taught him alot (i.e. how to pace a fight), Francis will do the same.

However, I don't think Francis either has the ambition or fire power to win this fight at this stage.

Skelton KO 7.
I agree the experiance that he will gain from fighting francis will be good. For that reason i hope it is not a blowout and he does extend him into the middle or even later rounds.

However with Skeltons constant barrages and Julius seemingly lack of motivation i really cannot see this going very far.

However, as you said, julius is a good name and Matt is doing everything really that harrison should have done.

Power,

Whilst there no doubting Skelton seems a puncher at the level he's faught at, I'll give Francis credit at least he's extending these guys he's losing to. Only Danny Williams and Mike Tyson flatterned Francis within 5 rounds (and the Williams KO was somewhat lucky, Francis was never in trouble before that punch that hurt his eye). Francis still has that "good indicator" thing about him. The world class fighters can eliminate him quickly (Tyson, Klitchko - perhaps surprisingly John Ruiz) he can usually extend European, fringe world class fighters.

So if Skelton can whoop even this Francis its a great marker, and one that hardcore fans the world over will respect. Believe me, if Skelton KO's Francis inside 3 rounds his name will be mentioned as a potential big gun on the current scene.

The REAL McCoy · Post by **The REAL McCoy** » 12 Nov 2003, 15:44

McCoy dont know how many rounds this fight will be scheduled for(if it comes off at all)

However if it is an eight or ten rounder Julius will hear the final bell in McCoys big humble opinion & let him tell you why...

Although far from impossible to hit Julius cleanly, it aint an easy task for anyone other than the top fighters to do

Julius does know how to protect himself in there, he has got that tight defence which even made the very good 'Bam Bam' Sam say

"To hell with this, Im going for his ribs" in his slow Turkish drawl

But even then it took him a while before the body shots finally took their toll & wore down Big Julius

Although it may be too early to tell, Skelton doesnt look in Sam's class, there are question marks over Skelton's stamina too & he also fights without a defence, hell it looks as if he is fighting with his hands in his pockets his guard is so far away from his chinny chin chin!

McCoy conversed with a few cats before Julius's last contest against Luan Krasniqi in Germany, most saying Julius would be stopped, & stopped early

But McCoy predicted big Julius would hear the final bell for the above reasons, & hear the final bell he did

But hey, McCoy dont like to brag 8)

Skelton by UD

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 12 Nov 2003, 18:37

A good test for Skelton. If Julius still has ambition he might even beat him - the questions about his chin keep coming up, like TT says he was ko'd a few times in K1....heard same thing about Vitali K too though, and he looked good enough with Lewis in the end.

Julius is probably right this minute holding court in his local barber shop
( which he does, I've got a mate who knows him

) showing how he's going to land that left hook on that Skelton's tempting, unguarded chin.

Saying that, I do want to see Skelton do well - another young prospect on the heavyweight scene is always good for the game.

Michaeljpoole · Post by **Michaeljpoole** » 13 Nov 2003, 14:23

MightyWarrior wrote: Saying that, I do want to see Skelton do well - another young prospect on the heavyweight scene is always good for the game.

Young Mighty Warrior, I cant guarntee that.