Print

Mail

wiki links

Chagaev retains heavyweight title

Ruslan Chagaev, right, and Matt Skelton go head to head during their WBA world heavyweight clash in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

Ruslan Chagaev can dream of bigger fights and paychecks after retaining his WBA heavyweight title on Saturday.

But the fight's loser, 40-year-old Briton Matt Skelton, was unsure of what the future holds. He was convinced he could beat the odds and take the title back home after bookmakers made him a 6-1 underdog.

"I have to be realistic," said Skelton, a former kickboxing world champion. "On another day I think I can make amends. Whether I get that chance is another question. I lost a unanimous decision."

Skelton's chance disappeared in the later rounds, as his rawness was exploited by the two-time world amateur champion. The Briton didn't step into the ring until age 35 and at first only to improve his punching for Muay Thai.

"I really thought I could do it," said Skelton (21-2, 18 KOs). "I know he is strong, and beat Nikolai Valuev, who is a giant of a man, but I really thought I could."

The judges ruled it 117-110 and twice 117-111 for Chagaev.

Chagaev (23-0-1, 17 KOs) made his first defense of the belt he won in April from Valuev, the biggest and heaviest champion of all time at 2.13m.

"I haven't boxed for a long time, so this was a good test," Chagaev said. "Who I fight next is a question for my manager. But it is my great wish to have all the four titles."

Skelton tried to tie up Chagaev, to disrupt the Uzbek's planned tactics of tagging him with combinations from outside with his superior boxing skills. He tried to use his 11kg weight advantage and trade uppercuts from in close.

That led to him being docked a point in the eighth round for excessive holding. In the first couple of rounds, Skelton also landed punches and gave Chagaev trouble.

But the Uzbek began to find his range by the middle rounds.

"I can adjust to a fighter's style," Chagaev said.

Skelton is unlikely to go home as well paid as Chagaev, saying he was "hard done" by the financial terms of the fight.

But at least some good rounds made up for a July fight at home against Michael Sprott, which earned him the title shot. He was jeered for that lackluster bout.

"I don't care about looking nice, I would rather have the win," Skelton said. "I've achieved a lot. I was lucky to an opportunity to fight for a a world title."

Now the said he will sit down with his team and family and discuss the future.

"I'd like to carry on," he said.
This story has been viewed 2364 times.