Skelton Wants Bout With Haye
January 12th, 2009
By Eric Thomas: British heavyweight Matt Skelton (22-2, 19 KOs) is making noises that he’d be interested in a fight with fellow UK heavyweight David Haye (22-1, 20 KOs) as soon as David gets through with fighting one of the Klitschko brothers. In an interview on the Sunday Mirror, Skelton remarked that Haye is “Lucky” and is “getting all the breaks,” no doubt referring to Haye’s potential bouts with both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.
Skelton, 41, the Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight champion, came up short in his title challenge against WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev in January, losing a lopsided 12-round decision. Aside from that, Skelton has focused most of his seven year professional boxing career on fighting on the local level.
Haye seems to be on the fast track with his career and is looking to fight the biggest stars in the heavyweight division before getting out of the sport by his 30th birthday. A fight with Skelton, though perhaps entertaining, wouldn’t seem to be serving Haye’s purpose and would be seen by some as a big step backwards.
I personally think Skelton, if he could make it beyond the first three or four rounds, would potentially give Haye a lot of trouble with his power. But like I said, I doubt that Haye would want to step in the ring with him and give him a chance. Haye, 28, is looking to fight both of the Klitschko brothers back to back, but that may actually be out of his hands should he lose badly to one of them.
It’s doubtful that either of them would be still interested in fighting him if he loses to the first Klitschko brother he fights. For this reason, Haye is in a do or die position whether he knows this or not. He can’t afford to lose badly to them because in being defeated badly, Haye would be less relevant as a fighter and would be in the rebuilding stage.
He tends not to take the easy fights, although his fight with Monte Barrett was an eye opener in terms of him taking the easy path, and it’s highly doubtful he would consider coming back to England to fight a 42-year-old Skelton. The fight might sell well, but nothing like a fight against someone like the Klitschko brothers or the seven-foot Nikolay Valuev. Those are the big money fights that Haye will be moving to.
Skelton has a fight with ‘Prizefighter’ Heavyweight Martin Rogan on February 28th. Rogan, pretty much a club fighter, surprised many people by defeating Audley Harrison by a close 10-round on December 6th. This isn’t going to be an easy fight because Rogan is a high pressure fighter and has a good punch despite his advanced age of 37.
Tags: 14 Responses to “Skelton Wants Bout With Haye”
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Uggh, Skelton! Actually I think he is one of the greatest fighters ever as he has done everything from MMA to kickboxing to now being European Heavyweight Boxing champion at 41 but he is such a boring boxer that for the good of boxing this match shouldn’t take place.
Adam shut the hell up, such a troll.
ill bet he would fight him while he waits for one of the bros. he sure as hell aint gona risk it with someone like peter or some one else who is anybody.
I am as guilty as the next man with the posting about Haye. I don’t rate him either but cant resist a comment every time I see his name. Facts, in all his fights he met only two undefeated fighters early in their careers and stopped them both, late, Fragomeni 9th, Johansen 8th would he go that long with Skelton/Wladamir/. All his other opponents had defeats, not a problem in it self but some had numbers like 26, 13,11, 10, I mean not top quality opposition. My argument has always been just who has he beaten. Those that stood in front of him. BUT they weren’t all that good. One lad Abdoul had lost 9 times previously but still went the full distance. Admittedly he had never been put down and even Haye couldn’t. SO what is so special. NOTHING, just good publicity and he certainly has that. But its not enough for me to think he can beat the best at the moment. And why shouldn’t Skelton beat him he is a proper established Heavyweight and has fought a world title and went the distance. Not something to be scoffed at. But of cause like Haye he hasn’t met the best, so for me they are even. give credit were its due. Zach White you are going to get itfrom somebody not a million miles away pin your ears back.
Any heavyweight in the division stands a chance of winning a fight, basically just down to the weight in there punches. Id give Skelton a punchers chance, but he doesn’t possess the talent to beat Haye IMO. Id like to see Haye have a couple more fights before Klitschko, we will see what happens.
ADAM, stop posting about Haye please. if you dislike him as much as you say you do then why read about him then post!?! We dont really want to read posts of childish abuse.
Well ukansodoff,i watched a slew of Haye boxing mathes on youtube and watched every second of all the fights.And i dont see above average speed or power.He looked awkward and very unbalanced against below average oposition.I will have to say that he does have some boxing skill in general.Like ring presence and he can elud some punches but he doesn’t have any kind of defensive style.I honestly think he is a B-class boxer at the moment.I think he could be a very good boxer with ALOT of work.But i think he is much to into himself and thinks he is much better than he or you think he is.I don’t think he has the heart or soul to put in the work needed.Either Klitschko will destroy him.
Cant believe we are even talkin about who would win….. Haye would honestly win within the first round.. His power and speed would make Skelton look stupid
Haye and Skelton are on the same road but Haye is in the fast lane and Skelton seems to be getting overtaken.
Haye wants the world titles not Skelton and IF he got those world titles there be massive fights out there for him with much much bigger names and money than Skelton can give. So i just cant see it happenin.
Though id like to see it. Skelton just keeps ploddin on doin what hes gotta do with his gob shut.
Though if it did happen im sure Haye would demolish him.
The pace and power of Haye that wont make a difference against a Klitchko in some peoples minds WOULD make a difference against Skelton.
Pacman vs. Hitman NO MORE… reason? monetary disagreement. Pacman doesnt keen of a 50-50 share he Want’s a 60-40 split which I think is understandable. His now the Boxing Emperor and should have the right to command a higher percentage.
But do not worry coz I heard there is a talk between Manny and Floyd for their possible fight if the Hatton/Pacquiao saga would not pursue.
going back to haye v skelton fight,why not,i think skelton deseves to fight just like anyone else iim sure there is alot of people out there would like to c such a fight thats what boxing is all about,bring it on.
i think skelton needs to b alittle patient with another one or two fights then he will b ready for the klitch brothers,yr time will come,the question is .is david haye good enough to beat the brothers?
Skelton should stick to fighting fat taxi drivers that won prize fighter!!! Honestly grandad unless you want retiring stay away from the Haymaker
I’m OK giving Skelton some credit. He’s fought the same amount 22 fights ranked by Boxrec as 8th and has a good KO rate. Haye wont go for it and I understand that. Skelton is an OK fighter why shouldn’t he consider himself capable of giving Haye problems. Oh and he’s a gentleman with his comments. Good lad.
Skelton VS Haye!!!!!!!!!
That is funny!!!