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Euro crown for Skelton

Bedford brawler captures European crown in Italy

Last updated: 20th December 2008

Skelton: European champion

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Matt Skelton claimed the vacant European heavyweight title after stopping Italian Paulo Vidoz after nine rounds in Milan on Friday night.

Bedford fighter Skelton forced his Italian opponent to quit on his stool in between rounds and he did not answer the bell for the tenth round.

41-year-old Skelton could now go on to face Irishman Martin Rogan, who stunned Audley Harrison on December 6, according to Frank Warren.

Skelton's win in Milan takes his professional record to 22-2 after a 19th knockout, as he added the European crown to his previously won British and Commonwealth belts.

2000 Olympic bronze medallist Vidoz is left contemplating his future in the ring after slipping to a third defeat in six outings and a second on the bounce.

Prizefighter winner Rogan is waiting in the wings to challenge Skelton, in a fight which could be staged in his native Belfast next year.

"A fight between me and Skelton would be huge in the King's Hall and I know I'd beat him," Rogan told the Belfast Evening Telegraph on the prospect of facing Skelton.

Skelton's victory in Milan comes 11 months after he lost his challenge for the WBA world heavyweight title on points against Ruslan Chagaev.