How would you manage Skelton.

[stujones]

Now that 37 year old Matt Skelton has won the British title (albeit looking seriously flawed) how would you manage his career.

What I would do is to taking him back to the drawing board, really bring in top class Sparing that can teach him how to box. I think there are some potential bannana skins for an inexperienced Skelton at domestic class (mainly, Harrison, Williams and Long). So if Skelton can try and get the fights necessary to win the lonsdale belt by avoiding the big names (like what David Barnes is doing) then after he's learned some more about the game (in this 6 month) he can have perminant suvinior from his pro boxing career (I think maybe Krence, Simpkin and Gammar would be acceptable). I hope he fights these all before the end of 2005. If he's getting better than maybe he could risk fighting Herbie Hide, because I think he has got the one attribute needed to beat him (and a decent chin himself).

Once he's got the British title (he'll be pushing 39 aswell) I would try and sidestep the European level (and the rest of the British boys) and aim for a world title. I think Lamon Brewester or even John Ruiz would be the better oppostion. I think style wise Chris Byrd would be a knightmare and Vitali would be way too good.

How would you manage him.

Appologies, if anybody takes offense with me mentioning Skelton and World scene (even this one) in the same sentence, its all hypothetical - I just think he needs to learn how to box a bit before rushing into his next fight.

[bennie]

I hate it when he turns southpaw (well, more square-on than southpaw). That's when he mauls, leans on and basically fouls in close. When he stands orthodox, he looks pretty decent.
Eugene (who's done a great job with him) needs to keep him orthodox.

[Goz]

Don't think there is time for any of that for Skelton, just get who you can in the opposite corner and go for it. He's never going to be subtle or classy, let's just see how far he can maul himself up the world ratings.

[steve689]

He is pretty effective now as a brawler and mauler yet a bit of quality sparring and some better technical work could improve him because brute strength and desire are not going to be enough. He does look embarrassing when he turns southpaw, it looks clumsy and totally unnatural, he did it plenty of times against Francis and it's about time he knocked it on the head.