Sprott looking good

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:30

According to reports Michael Sprott is looking good in sparring for his fight with Skelton, having high quality sessions with Roman Greenberg. Hardly good preperation for facing someone like Skelton though surely? Skelton is not likely to be dancing around on his toes!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:34

007 wrote:According to reports Michael Sprott is looking good in sparring for his fight with Skelton, having high quality sessions with Roman Greenberg. Hardly good preperation for facing someone like Skelton though surely? Skelton is not likely to be dancing around on his toes!

In Reading, you've got to give Sprott a real shout in this fight. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think this fight may have come too soon for Skelton. They have to rush Matt because of his age. That could all blow up in their faces.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:37

I reckon Skelton should really jump on Sprott in the first round and try to take something out of him. If the champion is still strong after 6 rounds he's just going to run away with it IMO.

What's the date for the fight BTW?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:38

I think Sprott can win, but a bit worried about his chin. If Skelton swarms him early he could get the KO, then again his chin is untested and Sprott has been hitting harder recently. I am leaning towards Sprott at the moment 60/40 but he needs to stop sparring Greenberg!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:38

April 24th.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Mar 2004, 10:39

My prediction....

Sprott will look a totally different fighter than the guy who took on Danny last time out. Sprott was demoralised by his own corner, and by the feeling that he was never going to get the victory

Remember the Sprott who was dancing around Williams in the 2nd fight, sticking his tongue out, and generally giving him a going over, that's the Sprott we are going to see against Skelton.

I'm going to make a very bold prediction, and say that Sprott takes the piss with Skelton, and stops his late....

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 25 Mar 2004, 11:14

skelton cannot punch IMO.
he overwhelms boxers who havent got the skills or legs to get out of the way....
there is no snap or speed in his punches, he just corners you and wings away.....
Sprott easy for me

J · Post by J » 25 Mar 2004, 11:32

knockout wrote:skelton cannot punch IMO.
he overwhelms boxers who havent got the skills or legs to get out of the way....
there is no snap or speed in his punches, he just corners you and wings away.....

TOTALLY agree, been saying it for ages volume puncher, thai style too square on, mostly arm punches but lots of em.
First time he comes up against a decent technical fighter he should get outclassed.
I personally hope sprott is that man.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Mar 2004, 11:37

I tend to agree with the views of James Mac on this one. I do favour Sprott and think the confidence of the British title will make him a much better fighter. He won't want to lose the belt he's worked so hard in getting easily.

However, my one problem is Skelton's punch, or more specifically Sprotts chin. Its hardly his best assist, and whilst Skelton couldn't budge Francis - I think Francis is more durable than Sprott.

SO my prediction is either a lopsided tenth round KO by Sprott or a one punch KO by Skelton at arounf the half way mark (in a fight he's losing).

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 25 Mar 2004, 12:03

J wrote:
knockout wrote:skelton cannot punch IMO.
he overwhelms boxers who havent got the skills or legs to get out of the way....
there is no snap or speed in his punches, he just corners you and wings away.....
TOTALLY agree, been saying it for ages volume puncher, thai style too square on, mostly arm punches but lots of em.
First time he comes up against a decent technical fighter he should get outclassed.
I personally hope sprott is that man.

That's the impression I'm getting too. If you can punch a bit at heavyweight, you're going to take out a very old Julius Francis.
Matt looked a bit of an arm puncher last time out.

I'd go Sprott on points in this one.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Mar 2004, 12:10

Most former Thai-boxers are arm punchers, it's the stance apparently. In Muay Thai the balance needs to be even on each leg, so that the fighter can punch or kick with equal weight from either side. It's also why Thai boxers have shit footwork the emphasis is on standing in range not nipping in and out.

Even big Vitali is an arm puncher, if he weren't, he would have knocked the shit out of our Len in their fight, because he caught him with some massive shots, but because his weight transfer was poor, so much of the potency was lost.

J · Post by J » 25 Mar 2004, 12:11

Yeah its something that Thai fighters sometimes struggle with due to the obvious differneces in technique, its easier to overcome if you turn to boxing younger, al la Nige Benn, but Skelton was pretty mature when he too k up boxing ..so old dogs new tricks and all that...sprott late stoppage or points.
(sorry I seem top predict that quite often bit of a gay safe prediction I suppose but it is what I think will happen)

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 25 Mar 2004, 12:11

Wow! No-one seems to be going for Skelton. I thought this was a "pick 'em" fight. I feel the Bedford banger has a much better chance after going those 10 rounds with Francis last time out. He didn't look impressive, but didn't need to in my opinion. He just needed the rounds. I don't see it as a walkover for Sprott. Skelton's power may be of the clubbing variety, but he can still bang.
Sprott's mental strength is still questionable in my opinion.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 25 Mar 2004, 12:27

Skelton will win a close match

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Mar 2004, 13:02

bennie wrote:Wow! No-one seems to be going for Skelton. I thought this was a "pick 'em" fight. I feel the Bedford banger has a much better chance after going those 10 rounds with Francis last time out. He didn't look impressive, but didn't need to in my opinion. He just needed the rounds. I don't see it as a walkover for Sprott. Skelton's power may be of the clubbing variety, but he can still bang.
Sprott's mental strength is still questionable in my opinion.

Yeah, I'm surprised aswell I thought Sprott would be the underdog, but obviously not.

I think the fight will either end early for Skelton, cause Sprott's chin aint that great - or Sprott will beat big Matt quite convincingly on points. I think it won't be close one way or the other (i.e. it will either be all Sprott or Skelton by a clean KO), but it is a 50:50 fight on paper and a hard one to pick IMO

Chambers · Post by **Chambers** » 26 Mar 2004, 07:22

If Sprott can last the first 3 rounds (which I think he will), then he'll win on points (at least). Sprott in the past has struggled to absorb body punches, which I think will be Skeltons best chance of a win, but I am sure that Sprott is going to be on in tip-top condition when he gets in the ring and I can see him keeping the fight at long range and outboxing Skelton for the majority of the fight, possibly stopping him depending on Skeltons chin. I am hoping to see him picking his shots as he did in the second Williams fight.

A boring prediction I know, but I have said for a while that Skelton will lose as soon as he gets in with someone who has technical ability and is not way passed their best (according to the rest of this thread a number of other people are under the same impression).

It has got the makings of a reasonably even match, but I am hoping to see the experienced boxer beat the Thai boxer

Sprott looking good

Sprott looking good

Re: Sprott looking good

Re: Sprott looking good