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Skelton vs Chagaev?
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 14:24
by Horse
allegedly wrote:Yet Calzaghe isn’t the only fighter I promote who can expect good news soon.
I’m really close to securing a WBA heavyweight title fight for Matt Skelton against current champion Ruslan Chagaev.
It would be a real fairytale story as Matt only turned pro in his late 30s — and didn’t have an amateur fight before taking up boxing.
Things are looking so promising that purse bids for a proposed European title fight for Skelton have now been postponed to allow us to negotiate.
It would be great news if Britain could get a heavyweight world champion, especially as it’s an area we haven’t been strong in since the retirement of Lennox Lewis four years ago.
After years of being in the doldrums, the division is getting itself in shape, with Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov in a unification fight in New York in February. That’s the first for eight years.
If Skelton does win the WBA belt, he could fight the winner.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... 501206.ece
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 14:26
by jomothepure
Well I'd rather he lost to Chagaev fighting for a world title than he lost to Dimitrenko fighting for the European title.
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 14:28
by leforge
he would win euro
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 14:33
by Poncey
jomothepure wrote:Well I'd rather he lost to Chagaev fighting for a world title than he lost to Dimitrenko fighting for the European title.
Totally. Would think about going if the undercard was okay.
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 15:06
by Mario
This is a very winnable fight for Skelton imo. He certainly doesnt have the talent that Chagaev possesses but his non stop pressure and superb fitness could be enough, and Chagaev isnt the biggest heavyweight either.
On the other hand, theres no way this fight will happen outside of Germany and i cant see a knockout for either man.
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 15:08
by overhand_right
I liked Matts chances a hell of a lot more v Maskaev.
But I doubt Chagae hits hard enough to stop or even drop Skelton, but his youth and honed southpaw style might be too much for the old boy & potshot to a points nod.
I'd still get behind Skelton big time if he gets this shot though!!
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 17:00
by Razor
overhand_right wrote:I liked Matts chances a hell of a lot more v Maskaev.
But I doubt Chagae hits hard enough to stop or even drop Skelton, but his youth and honed southpaw style might be too much for the old boy & potshot to a points nod.
I'd still get behind Skelton big time if he gets this shot though!!
You not seen the Rob Calloway KO? Id say Chagaev hits hard, mighty hard.
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 17:28
by Deserter
I can't believe so many people view Skelton as capable of triumphing at world level. He's a domestic operator who is a fringe contender at Euro level imo. Nothing more.
Tell me which performance convinced you he's capable of beating any of the existing world champs?

Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 17:59
by Asterix
Razor wrote:You not seen the Rob Calloway KO? Id say Chagaev hits hard, mighty hard.
That was a great KO. Chagaev would beat Skelton, imo.
Posted: 25 Nov 2007, 18:15
by FinitoLopez
I'm from the states so I don't know much about Skelton but from what I heard especially after that ugly Sprott fight is he is more of a hit and hold fighter. Anyway I think after Chagaev beat Ruiz and Valuev (barely) he could get past Skelton but experience does tell. Most importantly though its allegedly allegedly and how many people really trust what he says?
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 04:43
by DavidPayne
A clean puncher would stop Skelton. Maskaev would beat him with something to spare I think.
Skelton v Ruiz, now there's a fight for the purists.
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 07:25
by BigGar
Yes, I think the judges would be Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Bruno Antonolioioioio for Skelton-Ruiz.
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 07:50
by Autobarn
Mario wrote:This is a very winnable fight for Skelton imo. He certainly doesnt have the talent that Chagaev possesses but his non stop pressure and superb fitness could be enough, and Chagaev isnt the biggest heavyweight either.
On the other hand, theres no way this fight will happen outside of Germany and i cant see a knockout for either man.
Skelton won't beat any. Chagaev for me is a better pressure fighter.
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 08:05
by Mario
Autobarn wrote:Mario wrote:This is a very winnable fight for Skelton imo. He certainly doesnt have the talent that Chagaev possesses but his non stop pressure and superb fitness could be enough, and Chagaev isnt the biggest heavyweight either.
On the other hand, theres no way this fight will happen outside of Germany and i cant see a knockout for either man.
Skelton won't beat any. Chagaev for me is a better pressure fighter.
I dont think Skelton will win and im not a fan of the way he fights, i just think he has as good a chance as most contenders out there and he definitely has the right style to beat one or two of the current title holders.
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 09:04
by deadpan
In what way does he deserve a title tilt? Going 1-1 with a fighter woefully exposed on the World stage? Or two wins over a fringe Euro level fighter?
Skelton found his level with the WBU. To say he could beat any of the beltholders is the talk of a man on a crackpipe.
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 13:55
by Captain Hook
Skelton is one of the worst fighters ever to win a title, I wouldn't give him a chance.
He's nowhere near world level, even with today's low standards at heavy....
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 13:56
by Captain Hook
PS serious sour grapes from Warren in his column in the Sun when talking about Haye...
Posted: 26 Nov 2007, 13:57
by deadpan
Hear hear.
One you get past the novelty that he's 107, there's not much there to set the pugilistic pulses racing.
Posted: 27 Nov 2007, 02:39
by Tykemania
Mario wrote:This is a very winnable fight for Skelton imo. He certainly doesnt have the talent that Chagaev possesses but his non stop pressure and superb fitness could be enough, and Chagaev isnt the biggest heavyweight either.
On the other hand, theres no way this fight will happen outside of Germany and i cant see a knockout for either man.
Is Skelton not just a smaller version of Valuev in this equation?
Posted: 27 Nov 2007, 04:33
by nickd
Skelton will not beat Chagaev. I can't believe anyone is giving him a chance.

Posted: 27 Nov 2007, 07:13
by overhand_right
Razor wrote:
You not seen the Rob Calloway KO? Id say Chagaev hits hard, mighty hard.
Against the likes of Rob Calloway, yeah.
Ever seen Audley Harrison v Shaun Robinson? Audley looked like Earnie Shavers in that one. What does it mean against world class heavies?
Fook all!!
Posted: 27 Nov 2007, 19:24
by WildWaylon
Terry D wrote:Fingers crossed. Skelton's biggest recent fight came against the bloke who was allegedly boffing his missus.
I think it was just phoning but more than enough to get big Matt angry.
Posted: 28 Nov 2007, 06:42
by overhand_right
FinitoLopez wrote: Anyway I think after Chagaev beat Ruiz and Valuev (barely)
There was no barely.
Chagaev well whopped Valuev, made him look a right mug.
Posted: 28 Nov 2007, 15:16
by funso banjo baby
skeltons style is far more tricky than valuevs... funnily enough
the big ugly bear simply leans all over and drains all ur energy and spirit
only danny williams has beaten him....but that took possibly the best performance of danny's career
chags is in for an ugly snot filled sweaty night of pain
ggggrrrrrrrrr :(
Posted: 29 Nov 2007, 12:32
by WildWaylon
Not sure of this one - I think Matt deserves the shot even though his last fight was awful - He has had enough promises and should get the chance - Can he win, dont know.