By Erik Schmidt: Making his third defense of his European Boxing Union heavyweight title, undefeated Italian heavyweight Francesco Pianeta (19-0-1, 12 KO’s) stopped former Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton (22-4, 19 KO’s) in the 8th round on Saturday night at the Jahnsportforum, Neubradenburg, Mecklenburg, Vorpommeram, Germany.
Matt Skelton
Fury Stops Ellis: Is Tyson Ready for Rogan, Skelton or Williams?
By William Mackay: Unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury (5-0, 5 KOs) kept his perfect knockout record intact with a quick 1st round knockout over British journeyman Mathew Ellis (20-7, 9 KOs), knocking him out in 48 seconds of the 1st round. Ellis, 35, had fancied his chances against the 20-year-old Fury before the bout, saying that Fury was biting off more than he can chew by fighting him at this early point of his boxing career. However, the 6’7” Fury quickly proved him wrong by drilling Ellis with a big right hand in the opening seconds of the bout and planting him on the canvas.
Rogan’s Victory To Be Replayed on BBC Northern Ireland; Salita News
Martin Rogan’s sensational win over Matt Skelton to capture the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title will be replayed on Wednesday, March 4, on BBC 1 Northern Ireland. Jim Neilly will describe the best of the action from a contest considered one of the best heavyweight bouts in more than a decade as part of a specially extended “Season Ticket” documentary – The Breen Team – about the gym where Rogan learned his trade.
Martin Rogan, a Real life rag to riches Rocky Story
By Tom Avington: Less than a year ago British fight fans would have been saying Martin who? Many around the world will still be thinking exactly that, for those who are let me enlighten you. Heavyweight Martin Rogan is now making waves not just in Britain, but in Europe, after beating the European Heavyweight Champion Matt Skelton, although the European title was not on the line, the taxi driver from Belfast Northern Ireland won the Commonwealth title, which was put up for grabs.
Rogan Stops Skelton in 11th!
By Nate Anderson: In one of the most exciting heavyweight fights I’ve ever seen before, former ‘Prizefighter’ heavyweight winner Martin Rogan (12-0, 6 KOs) stopped Matt Skelton (22-3, 19 KOs) in the 11th round on Saturday night to win Matt’s Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title at the National Indoor Arena, in Birmingham, West Midlands.
George Destroys Ballogou; Dunne-Cordoba, DeGale-Tchilaia – News
NEW YORK – Light-heavyweight contender Shaun George entered his bout with Jaffa Ballogou intent on sending the division a message it could not ignore. It took him only 86 seconds to accomplish his mission, finishing off “The African Assassin” in spectacular fashion in New York City’s BB King Blues Club & Grill.
News – Peter vs. Chambers, Skelton vs. Rogan, Nakash-Brunelli
Martin Rogan is aiming to become Ireland’s second heavyweight world champion – more than 100 years after the last man to hold the greatest prize in boxing. And he says victory over Matt Skelton later this month will put him on course to achieve his dream. The 37-year-old from Belfast will face Skelton at the N.I.A IN Birmingham, on February 28.
Skelton-Rogan, DeGale-Tshilaia; Abraham Wants Pavlik – News
2008 Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders are mint – and it’s official! The terrific trio will all be presented with a special limited edition medal at the prestigious Birmingham Mint next Wednesday ahead of their professional debuts in the city on Saturday night.
Oral Extends Contract With Arena; Skelton Targets Haye; Cleverly-Onyango – News
Commonwealth heavyweight champion Matt Skelton has called out David Haye. Skelton, who defends his title against Martin Rogan on 28th February, said he “absolutely would” like a shot at Haye. Speaking to Setanta Sports News Skelton insisted his comments weren’t personal. He said:
Skelton Wants Bout With Haye
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.