BoxRec

BRITISH heavyweights Danny
Williams and Matt Skelton
will clash for the prize
of a world title shot.


Promoter allegedly ideally wants the victor to face "Beast from the East" Nicolai Valuev, the 7'2" man-mountain who became WBA champ by beating John Ruiz on a controversial points decision.

Commonwealth title holder Williams and British champion Skelton meet at London's ExCel Arena on February 25.

And Warren - already in talks with US counterpart Don King - said: "I believe in the summer we can make a world title fight for the winner.

"I would like to do the fight here in Britain. There's nothing out there that either of these two guys couldn't cope with."

Williams, 32, who beat Olympic champion Audley Harrison on points last month, is as keen as 38-year-old Skelton to take on 23-stone Valuev.

He said: "He looks quite good but he doesn't punch as hard as people say he should for such a big man.

"You just have to make sure you work your way inside and take him on.

"Valuev is unbeaten but in my view he's already lost as he's had a few home-town decisions."

Skelton agreed, saying: "He's big, but I wouldn't hesitate to get in the ring with any of the heavyweights out there - not just for the pay cheque but because I believe I can win a title."

But next month's British showdown might have to be purely for the Commonwealth crown.

Williams is banned until March by the British Boxing Board of Control after pulling out of last year's date, citing flu.

Warren said: "It would be nice if both their belts were at stake and we will be appealing to the boxing board to see if that can happen.

"But fights make titles - not the other way round - and this is a competitive 50-50 fight.

"Styles make fights and both these guys come to fight. No-one will take a backward step. You are going to get a real fight."

Skelton denied criticising Williams or declining to fight him on a new date before Christmas.

He said: "I never ever bad-mouthed him. I have never denigrated other fighters. I just come to fight."

And both men have promised a better show than Williams' dull battle with the negative Harrison to take the vacant Commonwealth crown.

Skelton said: "Harrison said a lot of things before that fight but he didn't live up to it.

"There's no point running your mouth unless you can back it up. I'm not criticising anyone but I'll be there to fight."

Williams added: "For this fight there will be less talk and more action in the ring.

"Skelton is the sort of fighter you have to stand toe to toe with and I'll have to give him some pain."

Why frank talking to king his promoter and manager is Wilfried Sauerland.

REAL_DEAL wrote:Why frank talking to king his promoter and manager is Wilfried Sauerland.

When Valuev beat Ruiz in the contract King has promotion rights or control of Valuevs next 4 fights, something like that im not sure.

cant see valaev coming back to england to defend unless the money is out of this world.

ps i thought king only got money from beast purse. never mind

King gets 50% of Valuev's next 4 fights.
Valuev is fighting april 1st in Germany

I am surprised the Beasts win always carries the word "Controversial" alongside it, i thought Valuev won a tight decision but there was nothing to suggest Ruiz was robbed. Just because that prick Norman Stone cannot control his emotions and decided to nick the belt and go running around the ring screaming obsceneties doesn't mean Ruzi was rear ended IMO

I scored the fight a draw. I am in regular contact with a German poster from another forum - actually an Aussie based in Germany - think he felt Ruiz edged it. As did one of the big german boxing websites (gave it to him by three) and the crowd booed the decision big time.

It was quite a loud crowd for Germany, booing Laila, booing the Ruiz decision.

I personally agree, I didn't see it as controvesial - did Valuev do enough to win the title from the champion? Out of date saying I know,but still holds true for lots of Journo's etc.

I thought Ruiz won his rounds bigger and should have won the fight - he had the ability. I would tip him in a rematch.

I was a little surprised at the Boxing News journalists interpretation of the Ali fight versus Sandell. He made it out to a dominant walk in the park but i thought it was far from it. Had Sandell (who i read is 39 or something and 3-1) had better fitness i think it would have been interesting, she was catching Ali with plenty of shots and Ali looked sluggish and over reliant on landing the big bombs which of course she did as Sandell tired. It wasn't the mismatch the BN man made it out to be at all, i genuinely believe it was Sandell's conditioning that let her down big time. Ali is nothing special, all mouth.

Ali has definately regressed alot. I agree with your opinion on the fight. Her opponent was actually decent despite her lack of experience.

Freiheit wrote:King gets 50% of Valuev's next 4 fights.
Valuev is fighting april 1st in Germany

Does that also mean he has the right to be joint promoter?

stujones wrote: I thought Ruiz won his rounds bigger and should have won the fight - he had the ability. I would tip him in a rematch.

Should it matter who won bigger rounds though?

If Ruiz battered Valuev from pillar to post for 5 rounds, but valuev just edged 7 surely valuev wins the fight.

The 3 people who scored it "in fight" on here all had valuev by one or two if memory serves.

Wales wrote:

stujones wrote: I thought Ruiz won his rounds bigger and should have won the fight - he had the ability. I would tip him in a rematch.

Should it matter who won bigger rounds though?

If Ruiz battered Valuev from pillar to post for 5 rounds, but valuev just edged 7 surely valuev wins the fight.

The 3 people who scored it "in fight" on here all had valuev by one or two if memory serves.

I had it Valuev winning by 2 points. There was not one single round where Ruiz was anywhere near battering Valuev or having him in trouble.

Overall impression: Valuev was giving Ruiz too much respect. He could have pressed the action a lot more but took it easy and jabbed Ruiz to a win.
In a rematch Valuev would ko Ruiz early. Now he knows Ruiz has no power and is not able to deal with a long jab.

I will be surprised if Ruiz does not retire when his rematch request is denied by the WBA. It is unlikely he has the grit and determination to fight his way up the ranks so that he may challenge for a belt again.

If there is any rematch that I would watch Ruiz fight it is against Tua.

jab wrote:

Wales wrote:

stujones wrote: I thought Ruiz won his rounds bigger and should have won the fight - he had the ability. I would tip him in a rematch.

Should it matter who won bigger rounds though?

If Ruiz battered Valuev from pillar to post for 5 rounds, but valuev just edged 7 surely valuev wins the fight.

The 3 people who scored it "in fight" on here all had valuev by one or two if memory serves.

I had it Valuev winning by 2 points. There was not one single round where Ruiz was anywhere near battering Valuev or having him in trouble.

Overall impression: Valuev was giving Ruiz too much respect. He could have pressed the action a lot more but took it easy and jabbed Ruiz to a win.
In a rematch Valuev would ko Ruiz early. Now he knows Ruiz has no power and is not able to deal with a long jab.

I will be surprised if Ruiz does not retire when his rematch request is denied by the WBA. It is unlikely he has the grit and determination to fight his way up the ranks so that he may challenge for a belt again.

If there is any rematch that I would watch Ruiz fight it is against Tua.

Same as me - Valuev won that fight, though it was close.