by James Slater – British fight fans are still talking about the excellent tear-up heavyweights Martin “The Entertainer” Rogan and Matt “The Bedford Bear” had this past Saturday in Birmingham -the fight was that good. At least it was if you like, as one poster on this web site called it, “good old-fashioned slugfests.” Now, with the fans still chattering about the best heavyweight rumble seen in the UK for many a year, the loser of the 11th-round TKO brawl has spoken about the fight for the first time in any depth..
42-year-old Skleton, the favourite to win the fight going in, lost his Commonwealth title and his KO-by-free record on Feb. 28th. However, big Matt blames no-one but himself and says he is not done as a pro boxer yet.
Speaking to Bedford Today, Skelton recalled the exciting battle.
“I didn’t follow my trainer’s instructions,” Skelton admitted. “We looked at Rogan’s previous fights and Kevin (Sanders) told me to work behind my jab. But I didn’t do it, except for a couple of rounds. For whatever reason, I got dragged into this toe-to-toe battle and it didn’t work in my favour.
“It was a tough, tough fight. I thought I could have carried on but the referee thought otherwise and that’s what he is there for. There are no sour grapes from me.”
It could be argued that the underrated and extremely strong (both mentally and physically) Rogan was always going to drag Skelton into a war, such are his tactics whenever and whoever he fights. That said, Matt was in control of the action when he did box, move and jab as best as he could. Or maybe he was only able to do that in the periods of the fight when the smaller and lighter man was taking a breather. In any case, the fight thrilled the fans and a rematch would definitely be welcomed.
Matt has vowed not to call it a day, but insists he was not as badly hurt after last Saturday’s fight as some reports suggested. Skelton says he did not have to spend time in hospital.
“I got a cut over my left eye and some swelling to the right, but the only thing hurt was my pride,” Skelton said. “I am angry with myself, first and foremost. I have asked myself, why didn’t I listen to my trainer, have I lost interest in it [boxing]? But I haven’t. My trainer is angry with me, he feels I should carry on, and I feel I should carry on.”
So too do the fans of Skelton. A limited fighter he may be in some respects, but he always gives his all, trains like a demon and comes to fight. Anyone who saw the war with Rogan could only agree. Also, three losses does not indicate to a fighter his time is up. Skelton can come again. Who knows, maybe he could get himself a fight against Audley Harrison, should a return with Rogan not happen.