BoxRec

According to fightnews...:

The eagerly awaited showdown between Matt Skelton and Danny WIlliams has been set for February 25. The heavyweight clash is being billed as a world title eliminator and the winner could be in line to face newly crowned WBA champion Nicolay Valuev. Williams' commonwealth title is up for grabs when the two meet at the Excel Arena in London, the same venue where Williams beat Audley Harrison last month. Skelton is 18-0 with 17KOs. Williams is 34-4 (28KOs)--Tristram Dixon

After watching highlights of Valuev/Ruiz I'd say either have a chance...

I pick Skelton to overpower Danny and then take the beast from the east...

Good, i think Williams or Skelton have a good chance against Valuev, I hope the winner gets their shot against him

For me, one of the biggest problems Valuev has is his seeming lack of conditioning and training. I reckon, especially early in his career, he was just treated as the freak show and was just put in the ring as a 6"oatcake behemoth. Now, pretty much his size alone has got him to the "top." Even in this era though, he won't last long, due to a lack of attention payed to his skills and boxing brain by his handlers, which is a bit of a shame IMO.

I agree with you Ellis Dee, I can't see Skelton losing to Williams. As we all saw, a win over Harrison we saw that night means dick. I think Skelton may actually stop Danny unless the latter's fitness improves drastically. But despite what I said above, Valuev will have too much, literally, for Skelton. There's too much to fell, and although Skelton will give it 100%, a win would be a shock for me. (Although, to be honest, I don't actually see why Skelton or Williams would be given a world title crack by King. Not a $$$ draw, not terribly pleasing styles, ok an "easy" fight, but as your Zab's and Morales' will testify, nothing's concrete. Where is Fwank getting all this money from, that's what I want to know.

Haha most thought Audley would of finally proved himself in that fight too! I never knew much about Audley so I didn't know what to think at the same.

Can't see is just one of those words I wouldn't say in this sport.

King did say he wanted to get Skelton in a world title shot though as he wasn't bothered about Danny.

Valuevs first defense is scheduled for April 1, so it couldn´t be one of the brits.

realistically it could be considered as an eliminator for the EBU title but only when Krasniqi, Sam, Klitschko don´t want to fight for the EBU title.

BubiScholz wrote:Valuevs first defense is scheduled for April 1, so it couldn´t be one of the brits.

realistically it could be considered as an eliminator for the EBU title but only when Krasniqi, Sam, Klitschko don´t want to fight for the EBU title.

Who do you think for April 1st Bubi? Maskaev perhaps?

jomothepure wrote:

BubiScholz wrote:Valuevs first defense is scheduled for April 1, so it couldn´t be one of the brits.

realistically it could be considered as an eliminator for the EBU title but only when Krasniqi, Sam, Klitschko don´t want to fight for the EBU title.

Who do you think for April 1st Bubi? Maskaev perhaps?

maybe a guy in the top 15 who is not that good and managed by DK? Austin, Brock, Barrett, Beck, Holmes or McCall?

BTW Sam changed to Universum again and it is rumuored that he will fight the winner of Vidoz-Koc for the EBU-title.

Did know about the change to Universum.
How many heavies do Spotlight/Universum have now 35-40? (Im not kidding)

As usual Warren is bordering on fraud when he calls this a WOrld Title eliminator. The winner (particularly if it is Skelton) may well get a title shot but that is hardly the same thing.

Similarly, the description on ticketmaster for the Nottingham show is for "World Championship Boxing" - really Frank?

BubiScholz wrote:

jomothepure wrote:

BubiScholz wrote:Valuevs first defense is scheduled for April 1, so it couldn´t be one of the brits.

realistically it could be considered as an eliminator for the EBU title but only when Krasniqi, Sam, Klitschko don´t want to fight for the EBU title.

Who do you think for April 1st Bubi? Maskaev perhaps?

maybe a guy in the top 15 who is not that good and managed by DK? Austin, Brock, Barrett, Beck, Holmes or McCall?

BTW Sam changed to Universum again and it is rumuored that he will fight the winner of Vidoz-Koc for the EBU-title.

Well after losing to Barret and Austin, Beck surely has to go whistle for a while. Hopefully they'd have the decency to put Austin in one if not two eliminators - perhaps Akinwande may be called up for that, followed by Brock, who should win handily.

Hasnt old Audley victim Richel Hersisia also signed with Universum. He would fight the bill perfectly as a Valuev opponent small, light hitting and with a padded record 26-1.
It will be either him or Akinwande I think unless they go to the US for someone like Ray Austin

dve3333 wrote:Hasnt old Audley victim Richel Hersisia also signed with Universum. He would fight the bill perfectly as a Valuev opponent small, light hitting and with a padded record 26-1.
It will be either him or Akinwande I think unless they go to the US for someone like Ray Austin

I spotted that. For three fights I think. Just my guess, but I think he'll be more lined up for Virchis, Dimitrenko and the likes, or an EU or EBU type shot thing.

jomothepure wrote:

dve3333 wrote:Hasnt old Audley victim Richel Hersisia also signed with Universum. He would fight the bill perfectly as a Valuev opponent small, light hitting and with a padded record 26-1.
It will be either him or Akinwande I think unless they go to the US for someone like Ray Austin

I spotted that. For three fights I think. Just my guess, but I think he'll be more lined up for Virchis, Dimitrenko and the likes, or an EU or EBU type shot thing.

I hope so the reason I thought that Valuev would fight him is because his promoter used to promote Ottke and we all remember the odd bum he used to face

Valuev is not with Universum, so it wont be Hersisia or any of their other boxers.

jomothepure wrote:For me, one of the biggest problems Valuev has is his seeming lack of conditioning and training. I reckon, especially early in his career, he was just treated as the freak show and was just put in the ring as a 6"oatcake behemoth. Now, pretty much his size alone has got him to the "top." Even in this era though, he won't last long, due to a lack of attention payed to his skills and boxing brain by his handlers, which is a bit of a shame IMO.

I agree with you Ellis Dee, I can't see Skelton losing to Williams. As we all saw, a win over Harrison we saw that night means dick. I think Skelton may actually stop Danny unless the latter's fitness improves drastically. But despite what I said above, Valuev will have too much, literally, for Skelton. There's too much to fell, and although Skelton will give it 100%, a win would be a shock for me. (Although, to be honest, I don't actually see why Skelton or Williams would be given a world title crack by King. Not a $$$ draw, not terribly pleasing styles, ok an "easy" fight, but as your Zab's and Morales' will testify, nothing's concrete. Where is Fwank getting all this money from, that's what I want to know.

That's not true, Valuev can fight a bit, he has a decent jab and ok right cross, but what the fornicate are you going to do with a guy who is that big and that heavy.

A heavyweight that size is never going to have great reaction times nor great speed of movement. You can't polish a turd mate....

Valuev is an attraction for as long as it takes for people to see him fight and realise he's fornicating boring to watch. Valuev has overwhelmed most of the B and C class fighters, but he's probably not going to be able to stop anyone B+ or above, and barely win.

King will be happy to cash his options in and see Valuev lose. Sauerland will probably negotiate for options on whoever faces Valuev, because he must know that Valuev is going to probably get beat by any of the other belt holders.

Were overating the HW division here - there are no B+ fighters other than maybe 5'9 Toney. I'd say Valuevs about Golota level, but he doesn't quit and seems pretty durable. Against Wlad you'd wonder if Wlad gets KO'd late on. Against Byrd he could overwhelm him with size maybe now Byrd moves very little. Against Brewster You'd expect Brewster to Ko him somewhere down the line - but if he survives you couldn't discount Valuev. Rahman is quicker, move skilled and has the power to KO Valuev but he could get ko'd himself or just fight a poor fight. You'd expect Toney to outbox Valuev - but can he handle the Giants size? So Valuev stands a shot against any HW - but yes I think it is in Williams/Skelletons abilities to beat him although I'd make them slight underdogs.

Golota is actually my tip to be Valuev's first title defense.... Connections with King, big name in Europe and well known in the US.

I think they will see Golota as a test, but not major enough to really derail Valuev's arriving in the states as a world champion.

It is possibly the perfect opponent for him... thats if Golota is still fighting.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Were overating the HW division here - there are no B+ fighters other than maybe 5'9 Toney. I'd say Valuevs about Golota level, but he doesn't quit and seems pretty durable. Against Wlad you'd wonder if Wlad gets KO'd late on. Against Byrd he could overwhelm him with size maybe now Byrd moves very little. Against Brewster You'd expect Brewster to Ko him somewhere down the line - but if he survives you couldn't discount Valuev. Rahman is quicker, move skilled and has the power to KO Valuev but he could get ko'd himself or just fight a poor fight. You'd expect Toney to outbox Valuev - but can he handle the Giants size? So Valuev stands a shot against any HW - but yes I think it is in Williams/Skelletons abilities to beat him although I'd make them slight underdogs.

Don't see Valuev knocking Rahman out, he hasn't got the punch power. Williams would probably find a way to lose, Skelton could probably outwork Valuev who isn't exactly a human dynamo.

stujones wrote:Golota is actually my tip to be Valuev's first title defense.... Connections with King, big name in Europe and well known in the US.

I think they will see Golota as a test, but not major enough to really derail Valuev's arriving in the states as a world champion.

It is possibly the perfect opponent for him... thats if Golota is still fighting.

I think Golota would be a risky proposition, he's got serious power and can throw punches in bunches, although less so these days. He had Ruiz in trouble early on.

Valuev is still being underestimated. His skills may not be top level, his speed may be slow and his defense may not be as tight as it could be. But he has the longest jab in the top 40 ranks and has a very good and powerful jab. His height is a defensive tool in itself, especially when combined with his extra long jab. He is strong and has good stamina and has underestimated power in his left hook and right cross.

What he can do to improve his defense and overall effectiveness, is to learn the right uppercut. If he gets it figured out, then he could beat any of the current top 10.

By the way, Golota would get koed very quickly by Valuev. He is too slow and immobile and that means he will collide with some right cross from the Giant Russian. When he lands it clean, it is an extremely powerful punch. He does actually punch extremely hard. Even his jab is as hard as some heavies right cross.

He is very underestimated and he has good chances of improvement.

dve3333 wrote:Hasnt old Audley victim Richel Hersisia also signed with Universum. He would fight the bill perfectly as a Valuev opponent small, light hitting and with a padded record 26-1.
It will be either him or Akinwande I think unless they go to the US for someone like Ray Austin

I think the Rainman would knock out the big man.

Ha Ha imagine a Toney-Valuev fight, it'd be piss funny to see them square up 'face to face' before the first bell!

Freiheit wrote:Did know about the change to Universum.
How many heavies do Spotlight/Universum have now 35-40? (Im not kidding)

I couldn´t name them but I think about 20-25

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

stujones wrote:Golota is actually my tip to be Valuev's first title defense.... Connections with King, big name in Europe and well known in the US.

I think they will see Golota as a test, but not major enough to really derail Valuev's arriving in the states as a world champion.

It is possibly the perfect opponent for him... thats if Golota is still fighting.

I think Golota would be a risky proposition, he's got serious power and can throw punches in bunches, although less so these days. He had Ruiz in trouble early on.

I would say the same. He is too dangerous for a first defense. Akinwande, who is under contract at Sauerland could be a possible opponent as well. Doesn´t he hold the WBA Interconti title?

It was the IBF Intercontinental strap.

Although 3 days later - according to the ring announcer and all the commentators - Sultan Ibragimov won the vacant IBF Intercontinental title (and defended his Asian Pacific thingy) when he beat Whittikar - on the Peter vs Hawkins PPV.