by James Slater – Former European, British and Commonwealth heavyweight ruler Matt Skelton lost his last two fights, both inside the distance, and this poor form led many fans to wonder if the 42-year-old “Bedford Bear” would decide to call it a career and hang up the gloves. Stopped in the 11th round of a sensational battle with Belfast’s Martin Rogan in February of this year, Skelton then lost to Italy’s Francesco Pianeta in September, when he was forced to retire on his stool after the 8th round in Germany..
The loss to Pianeta looked for a time as though it would be the last ring appearance made by the former “world” title challenger, but no, this is not the case. As has been reported by The Sporting Life, Skelton will face unbeaten Londoner Derek Chisora on the February 13th Frank Warren-promoted bill that will be topped by reigning British heavyweight champ Danny Williams defending against Sam Sexton. The word is, the winner of Skelton-Chisora will face the winner of Williams-Sexton. And Big Matt, 22-4(19) says he wants his British title back!
Chisora, a cocksure fighter who isn’t against participating in a little trash-talking when the mood suits him, will be having his first real test against Skelton (although, to be fair, he did beat Sexton, the only man to do so thus far). While the older many by a substantial margin of 17 years will be attempting to give his career a final boost. A loss for Skelton would surely signal the end.
But the 42-year-old says he isn’t about to let a third defeat happen.
“Chisora is the new kid on the block, but I’m going to take him to school big time,” Skelton said. “He’s always running his mouth off and I’m going to shut it for him once and for all. He’s taken this one because he thinks that I’ve had a couple of tough fights and I’m going to be there for the taking. But he’s going to get a nasty surprise when I take away his unbeaten record.
“People have been asking me recently if I’m going to retire, but I’ve never even thought about hanging up the gloves. I want my British belt back.”
There was a time when the super-strong Skelton looked like a fighter who would never find himself either on the canvas or being stopped; yet both things happened to him in his war of a fight with Rogan. We don’t know how much Matt has left, but he didn’t look too great against southpaw Pianeta last time out. The timing could be just right for Chisora to get himself a good win over a big name.
Chisora certainly feels he will win in February.
“I respect what he’s achieved, but I’m going to send him into retirement,” the fighter known as “Del Boy” said of Skelton. “This is a much tougher fight for me than one against Sexton or Williams, and once I’ve done the business against Skelton I’ll knock out the winner of that one as well.
“Skelton won’t know what’s hit him on February 13th and I’m going to knock him out in style.”
KO Matt Skelton? As I say, there was a time when such a prediction would have been scoffed at; especially by a relative novice such as Chisora. But now, with the wear and tear of a hard career maybe having caught up with him, Skelton’s chin could perhaps be dented again next year. Despite his boasting, though, Chisora will likely have to turn in a career-best showing if he is to stop the taller (6’3″ for Skelton, 6’1″ for Chisora) and physically stronger man.
Also, it is to be hoped the 11-0(6) prospect manages to keep control of himself and not resort to biting Skelton the way he bit Paul Butlin back in May! Chisora was fined and suspended for his actions, but he has fought once since – stopping Georgia’s Zurab Noniasvili in October.