Matt Skelton failed in his bid to take the WBA heavyweight title from Ruslan Chagaev, the Russian scoring a unanimous points verdict.
Brit shows heart but 'White Tyson' retains belt
Matt Skelton has fallen short in his bid to take the WBA heavyweight title from Ruslan Chagaev, the Russian scoring a unanimous points verdict in Dusseldorf.
The 40-year-old from Bedford showed plenty of heart and gave the champion much to think about but his lack of boxing ability ultimately cost him as Chagaev held on to his belt with scores of 117-110 and 117-111 (twice).
The result therefore brought an end to Skelton's perhaps unlikely tilt at the title, coming as it did just seven years after he made his professional debut at the age of 33.
Nevertheless, having been selected as a routine opponent on the strength of a poor points win against Michael Sprott last July, he arguably performed above expectation and has at least maintained his record of never having been stopped.
Against an opponent three inches taller and almost two stones heavier, Chagaev's defence was hardly routine, but it still always seemed as though the Briton's relative lack of nous would tell against a man possessing arguably the best left-handed counter-punch in the business.
Skelton later said: "I'm hurt and I'm gutted. It doesn't matter if people tell me I fought a good fight and showed a lot of heart, the bottom line is I got my chance and I lost the fight. I want to be a winner.
"It's been a great journey for me. I only started boxing less than six years ago and I got to this stage and got my chance to reach the mountain top.
"It didn't happen but I've got no intention of quitting and I intend to fight on."
Strong start
Skelton started well, forcing himself inside and scoring enough early hits to take the opening round.
However, Chagaev, who claimed the title last year with a points win over Russian giant Nikolai Valuev, started the second round better and connected with two trademark lefts.
The fight became scrappy, with Skelton's habit of punching round the back of Chagaev's head then forcing referee Guillermo Perez to break the two men up.
Chagaev hit with another fine left, but Skelton took the punishment and started the third strongly behind a strong jab.
Indeed, the opening rounds were perhaps the best Skelton has ever boxed, with Chagaev's lefts having little impact on his chin.
Again Skelton came in close in an attempt to unsettle Chagaev, but the latter's powerful left hands placed him further ahead after round four.
For all Skelton's graft, it appeared as though the champion's much cleverer work was too much and two excellent hooks at the end of the fifth had the challenger holding on for the first time.
A closer sixth round saw Skelton negating Chagaev's left hand - a tactic which drew booing from the crowd - but he ended the three minutes bleeding from the nose.
Advantage
Chagaev further seized the advantage early in the seventh when he connected with two huge lefts, but Skelton came back with an excellent left uppercut.
Skelton was deducted a point in the eighth round but it seemed unlikely to matter as Chagaev edged further into the lead, the man labelled the 'White Tyson' ending the ninth by forcing his opponent across the ring with a stiff hook.
Chagaev again threw big shots at the start of the 10th, with Skelton ultimately showing admirable resolve to stay on his feet.
He added: "Chagaev was a good fighter. He doesn't waste punches and I probably haven't been hit any harder in my career. But I really thought I would win and I felt I just threw the fight away in the latter half."
