Skelton Faces “Iceman” Cole

20.07.04 – Unbeaten heavyweight star MATT SKELTON will face his first American test against Alfred Cole at London’s York Hall on Friday 30 July. The British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion takes on Cole in a ten-round International contest which features as chief support to GRAHAM EARL’s British Lightweight Title defence against STEVE MURRAY.

The show will be televised on Sky Box Office and will feature later that night Britain’s Danny Williams fight with Mike Tyson exclusively live from Louisville Kentucky.

New Yorker Cole reigned as IBF World Cruiserweight Champion for three years with one of his wins coming against Britain’s Glenn McCrory who is now a boxing commentator on Sky Sports.

Since 1996, Cole has operated in the heavyweight division facing an array of the top names including Hasim Rahman, Corrie Sanders, Kirk Johnson, Michael Grant and Tim Witherspoon.

A battle-hardened campaigner with the experience of 50 fights under his belt, ‘Ice’ Cole is expected to give Skelton, who is still a novice despite winning his titles in only his thirteenth fight, a stern test before an anticipated showdown with Audley Harrison that promoter Frank Warren is confident of securing.

Skelton, who’s brutal no-nonsense style has battered 13 of his 14 opponents early, said, “I’m looking forward to testing myself against Cole who has taking good fighters like Rahman and Johnson the distance. He’s big and strong but will he be able to cope with my aggressive style and power punches? I will be going out there to knock him out and make a mark on the division.”

The event will be available to Sky digital subscribers for £14.95 on Sky Box Office channel 770. It can be ordered by pressing the red button on the Sky remote handset – there is a £1 booking fee for any orders made by phone. For further information and to order the event viewers can call 08705 800 888. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator for pricing and availability.