BoxRec

What now for Matt Skelton ?

Up until his recent defeat to Martin Rogan, Matt Skelton looked in good shape. He was the European and Commonwealth champion and had recently had a title shot at Ruslan Chagaev, where he was'nt disgraced, despite never looking like winning the fight.

I thought that Skelton would defend his European and Commonwealth titles a few times, fight a few top ten guys, get a world title eliminater etc etc, but now that he has lost to Rogan and in such drastic fashion, is Skelton's time up ? I ask this question, because despite his decent record and having only lost one fight by knock-out, he is now 42 years of age and with all due respect to Rogan, he can hardly be described as a top quality fighter.

Can Skelton resurect his career ? Did he just fight the wrong tactics in the Rogan fight or was it the first signs of a fighter who is starting to go over the hill ? I can't see Skelton hanging around to pick up domestic titles and be a punch bag for up and coming fighters, so is it now time to hang up the gloves and retire ?

Looking at the fight again, I wonder how much did Skelton prepare for the fight. Skelton's corner seemed very concerned that he would run out of gas early in the fight. And they were threatening to pull him out in the 9th round.

I think maybe if he can rematch with Rogan possibly as an eliminator for the EBU title? Its really down to allegedly now - Paulo Vidoz gets chance after chance, can Skelton get similar fortune.

Personally i think he williams and Audrey should retire but a rematch with Rogan couldnt do any harm

stujones wrote:Looking at the fight again, I wonder how much did Skelton prepare for the fight. Skelton's corner seemed very concerned that he would run out of gas early in the fight. And they were threatening to pull him out in the 9th round.

I think maybe if he can rematch with Rogan possibly as an eliminator for the EBU title? Its really down to allegedly allegedly now - Paulo Vidoz gets chance after chance, can Skelton get similar fortune.

I think that Skelton took Rogan far too lightly, but also, i feel that Rogan took the fight to Skelton and not a lot of fighters do that and that caused Skelton problems. Stamina was a big issue, but IMO it was Skelton's tactics that let him down, because when he found some distance and fought on the outside, he was very effective, but he allowed himself to be drawn into a slug-fest and those tactics suited Rogan

I would like to see a re-match and i think that Skelton would win this time and perhaps by a stoppage. He would be up for the fight in a re-match, would make sure his conditioning was spot on and would definately adopt different tactics. I would fancy Skelton to stop Rogan within 8 rounds, using the right tactics.

alexpaterson wrote:Personally i think he williams and Audrey should retire but a rematch with Rogan couldnt do any harm

I think that age will be the determining factor if Skelton does retire and not his defeat to Rogan. If Skelton was in his 30's, he could brush off the defeat, but it will take some time to regain his status and credability after that recent performance and he is now 42 years of age.

As for Audley, that guy is a complete joke and certainly delusional about his talents. He ought to admit to himself that his " I can still do it..." platitudes are past there sell by date and that the public know that he is a busted flush, who is'nt proving anything to anyone. He ought to retire before he gets further embaressment thrust upon him and if he continues to fight, that is what will definately happen.

Retirement.

Slippers with regard to boxing - He could go back into go back into K1 though.

i think there will be a rematch between the two, after such a great commonwealth title fight.Skeltons story is amazing was he 37 when he turned pro, after succesful k1 career, wins british commonwealth and european titles, has a good wba title shot, he should continue if he still has the desire to do so

mahatma wrote:i think there will be a rematch between the two, after such a great commonwealth title fight.Skeltons story is amazing was he 37 when he turned pro, after succesful k1 career, wins british commonwealth and european titles, has a good wba title shot, he should continue if he still has the desire to do so

do you know if he had much of an ametuar career

alexpaterson wrote:

mahatma wrote:i think there will be a rematch between the two, after such a great commonwealth title fight.Skeltons story is amazing was he 37 when he turned pro, after succesful k1 career, wins british commonwealth and european titles, has a good wba title shot, he should continue if he still has the desire to do so

do you know if he had much of an ametuar career

No amateur background whatsoever or so I've heard. Yeah "The Bear" should get a win under his belt and then aim for a rematch with Rogan. That was the best heavyweight fight I've seen in a long time. I reckon he could even beat Rogan in a rematch.

Roars Like Me wrote:Slippers with regard to boxing - He could go back into go back into K1 though.

I,ve been hearing on the thaiboxing scene for the last year that Mat was going to go back to K-1 after three more fights and that was from his old trainer.

alexpaterson wrote:Personally i think he williams and Audrey should retire but a rematch with Rogan couldnt do any harm

Never thought I'd hear myself saying this about a Skelton fight, but I'd actually pay to see that.

retirement, unless he coud win the rematch with rogan (if it goes ahead) it would take him to long to get a crack at the european title again, time isnt summet skelton has