Matt Skelton

Matt Skelton
Born Matthew Skelton
(1967-01-23) 23 January 1967
Bedford, England
Other names The Bedford Banger[1]
The Bedford Bear
Nationality British
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 249 lb (113 kg; 17.8 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Boxing, kickboxing
Stance Orthodox
Team Team Skelton
Years active 1988–present
Professional boxing record
Total 37
Wins 28
By knockout 23
Losses 9
By knockout 5
Kickboxing record
Total 71
Wins 63
By knockout 57
Losses 8
By knockout 3
Mixed martial arts record
Total 1
Wins 0
Losses 1
By submission 1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: 10:41, 1 August 2012 (UTC)

Matt Skelton (born 23 January 1967) is a British professional boxer and former kickboxer. In kickboxing he is a former IKF Pro Muay Thai super heavyweight world champion; in boxing he is a former English, British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, as well as a former WBU heavyweight titleholder.

Biography

Skelton did not become a professional boxer until the age of 35. Prior to this he had been a professional kickboxer.

Kickboxing

Skelton has a kickboxing/muay thai record of 63-8/57. He won the International Kickboxing Federation IKF World Title when he stopped Jeff Ford (USA) at 1:51 of the second round in Northampton, England on 26 November 2000.

In his first defense of the IKF World Title on 18 November 2001, in Northampton, England, he defeated Peter Varga (Hungary) by TKO at 53 seconds of round 3.

Skelton, in a K-1 primary tournament K-1 WORLD GP 2001 in Melbourne in Australia, 16 June 2001, knocked out Paris Vasilikos (Greece) at 2:05 of the first round in the quarter final match. And he also beat Michael McDonald (Canada) by third round decision (3-0) in the semi-final match. He was beaten, however, by Ernesto Hoost of the Netherlands by a third round decision (2-0) in the tournament final.

Skelton's record in K-1 is ten wins and seven losses.

During his time as kickboxer and muay thai fighter, Skelton trained with the well known Eagles Gym under the highly regarded and respected Nigel Howlett.

Professional wrestling

Skelton has competed in one shoot-style pro-wrestling bout - a loss to Kazuo Yamazaki for Akira Maeda's Universal Wrestling Federation on 10 January 1989 at Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan.[2]

Mixed martial arts

Matt Skelton has had one Mixed martial arts fight. On 3 November 2001, at a Pride FC event named PRIDE 17, he lost via choke to wrestler Tom Erikson at 1:11 of the first round.

Boxing

As a professional boxer, he was initially dismissed by purists as an unrefined slugger lacking the required skill to achieve at the very top, but his powerful style has proved extremely successful under the tutelage of renowned trainer Frank Maloney.

He turned pro aged 35 in September 2002 with a two round KO of Gifford Shillingford. From this point he was moved along quickly, in 2003 scoring stoppages of respected veterans Jacklord Jacobs, Antoine Palatis, and ex-British champ Michael Holden, among others.

In 2004, he took his first serious step up, at 11-0 taking on ex-British and Commonwealth champion Julius Francis, who he outpointed over 10 rounds. He won the British and Commonwealth titles in his next fight, stopping Michael Sprott in 12 rounds, and defending the titles against the durable Keith Long, who he stopped in 11.

In 2005, Skelton won the lowly regarded WBU belt with a 6th round knockout of Fabio Moli. Skelton soon vacated the belt, and began to enjoy a higher profile when his promoter Frank Warren took all his fighters to ITV for exposure on terrestrial free-to-air television.

Skelton was due to defend his British title against his main rival Danny Williams in July 2005, but Williams pulled out at the last minute citing a case of the flu, a decision that prompted scorn from Williams' promoter Frank Warren. Skelton stopped late sub Mark Krence in 7 rounds, and scored a 1st round knockout of John McDermott to finish the year, whereupon he vacated his British title, having defended it three times.

In February 2006, Skelton finally fought Williams, and lost on split decision handing him his first pro defeat.

In July 2006, he regained his Commonwealth title by easily outboxing Williams.

Skelton was due to defend his title against Audley Harrison in December 2006, but the fight didn't take place.

Instead, the fight against Michael Sprott for the second time was rescheduled for 14 July 2007, in which Skelton defended his title in a 12 round battle.

Matt Skelton faced WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev on 19 January 2008 in Düsseldorf. Skelton fought bravely, but the superior boxing skills of his opponent were too much, and he succumbed to a unanimous points decision after 12 rounds.

Skelton fought Paolo Vidoz for the vacant European Heavyweight Title on 19 December 2008. Vidoz, exhausted, stopped fighting in round nine, but his corner refused to throw the towel. Skelton, recognizing this fact, refused to knock out the tormented Vidoz and even asked for the referee to quit the match.

Skelton chose to defend the Commonwealth title rather than the European title against undefeated brawler Martin Rogan, who had been completely unknown before upsetting Audley Harrison in his previous fight. On 28 February 2009, Rogan scored another upset by defeating Skelton by TKO11.

On 19 September 2009, Skelton challenged for the EBU-EU title (not the full European title) against undefeated Italian southpaw Francesco Pianeta. Skelton lost the fight after failing to come out for the 9th due to a hand injury suffered earlier in the fight. In January 2010, he lost to Bulgarian top prospect Kubrat Pulev.

In July 2010, Skelton ended his run of defeats when he knocked out journeyman Lee Swaby in round 5. Later in the year he competed in the Prizefighter series where he outpointed novice Ali Adams and Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride before a split decision loss to Michael Sprott, Sprott avenging his losses to Skelton in their two previous encounters.

In December 2010, Skelton was jailed for five months for perverting the course of justice after giving a false name on three occasions when caught speeding in his car.[3]

Skelton did not fight at all during 2011. After being released from prison, he did have two fights scheduled, first a rematch with Martin Rogan in Belfast, which never came off. Neither did a fight against unbeaten German Edmund Gerber.

In March 2012, Skelton pulled off a minor upset with a win over Tom Dallas, effectively ending Dallas's status as a prospect. Dallas struggled badly with Skelton's mauling style and at the end of round 4, Dallas was almost laid horizontal on the ropes as Skelton dropped blows on his head. A similar situation occurred in the following round, which led the referee to stop the fight.

Another win followed in May against journeyman Ladislav Kovarik, who came in at very short notice. The fight was stopped in the third round.

Skelton fought again in October 2012 on the undercard of the David Price versus Audley Harrison fight, stopping Jakov Gospic in the second round, after Gospic had been cut by a clash of heads.

On 30 November 2012 Skelton challenged David Price for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and lost via second round KO.

Vacant
Title last held by
Sinan Samil Sam
EBU Heavyweight Champion
19 December 2008 – 28 February 2009
Vacant
Title next held by
Albert Sosnowski

Professional boxing record

28 Wins (23 knockouts, 5 decisions), 9 Losses, 0 Draws[4]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Lose 28-9 United Kingdom Anthony Joshua TKO 2 (6), 2:33 2014-07-12 United Kingdom Echo Arena, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Lose 28-8 United Kingdom John McDermott PTS 2013-03-15 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, England English Heavyweight Title
Lose 28-7 United Kingdom David Price KO 2 (12)
2:56
2012-11-30 United Kingdom Aintree Equestrian Centre, Liverpool, Merseyside, England British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles
Win 28-6 Croatia Jakov Gospic TKO 2 (6)
2:40
2012-10-13 United Kingdom Echo Arena, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Win 27-6 Czech Republic Ladislav Kovarik TKO 3 (6)
0:48
2012-05-18 United Kingdom Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
Win 26-6 United Kingdom Tom Dallas TKO 5 (8)
1:00
2012-03-03 United Kingdom Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Lose 25-6 United Kingdom Michael Sprott SD 3 (3) 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Prizefighter final
Win 25-5 Republic of Ireland Kevin McBride UD 3 (3) 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Prizefighter semi-final
Win 24-5 United Kingdom Ali Adams UD 3 (3) 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Prizefighter quarter-final
Win 23-5 United Kingdom Lee Swaby TKO 5 (6)
1:00
2010-07-09 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
Lose 22-5 Bulgaria Kubrat Pulev KO 4 (8)
2:14
2010-01-30 Germany Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
Lose 22-4 Italy Francesco Pianeta RTD 8 (12)
3:00
2009-09-19 Germany Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany Lost EBU-EU (European Union) Heavyweight Title Shot
Lose 22-3 Northern Ireland Martin Rogan TKO 11 (12)
1:21
2009-02-28 United Kingdom National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, West Midlands, England Lost Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Skelton cut over the left eye in Round 5
Skelton down once in the 11th
Win 22-2 Italy Paolo Vidoz RTD 9 (12)
3:00
2008-12-19 Italy PalaLido, Milan, Lombardia, Italy Won vacant EBU (European) Heavyweight Title
Lose 21-2 Uzbekistan Ruslan Chagaev UD 12 (12) 2008-01-19 Germany Burg-Waechter Castello, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany WBA World Heavyweight Title
Win 21-1 United Kingdom Michael Sprott MD 12 (12) 2007-07-14 United Kingdom O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, England Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Win 20-1 United Kingdom Danny Williams UD 12 (12) 2006-07-08 United Kingdom Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales Won Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Win 19-1 Armenia Suren Kalachyan KO 4 (8)
0:38
2006-04-01 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
Lose 18-1 United Kingdom Danny Williams SD 12 (12) 2006-02-25 United Kingdom ExCel Arena, Dockland, London, England Lost Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title Shot
Win 18-0 United Kingdom John McDermott TKO 1 (12)
1:19
2005-12-10 United Kingdom ExCel Arena, Dockland, London, England Retained BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Win 17-0 United Kingdom Mark Krence TKO 7 (12)
3:00
2005-07-16 United Kingdom Bolton Arena, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England Retained BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Win 16-0 Argentina Fabio Eduardo Moli TKO 6 (12)
2:14
2005-02-25 United Kingdom Conference Centre, Wembley, London, England Won vacant World Boxing Union Heavyweight Title
Moli down once in the 1st round and down 3 times in the 6th round.
Win 15-0 United Kingdom Keith Long TKO 11 (12)
2:45
2004-11-19 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Retained BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Win 14-0 Australia Bob Mirovic TKO 4 (12) 2004-06-05 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Mirovic down twice.
Win 13-0 United Kingdom Michael Sprott KO 12 (12) 2004-04-24 United Kingdom Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, Berkshire, England Retained BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Won Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title
Win 12-0 United Kingdom Julius Francis Points 10 (10) 2004-02-07 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England Retained BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Win 11-0 Romania Patriche Costel KO 1 (8) 2003-11-15 Germany Oberfrankenhalle, Bayreuth, Bayern, Germany
Win 10-0 Montenegro Ratko Draskovic TKO 3 (8) 2003-10-25 United Kingdom Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland
Win 9-0 Romania Costi Marin TKO 1 (10) 2003-10-11 United Kingdom Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Win 8-0 United Kingdom Michael Holden TKO 6 (10)
0:32
2003-09-18 United Kingdom Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, Essex, England Won vacant BBBofC British Heavyweight Title
Win 7-0 France Antoine Palatis TKO 4 (6) 2003-07-17 United Kingdom Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, Essex, England
Win 6-0 United Kingdom Dave Clarke TKO 1 (6) 2003-05-15 United Kingdom Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London, England
Win 5-0 Russia Alexey Varakin KO 2 (6) 2003-04-08 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
Win 4-0 Nigeria Jacklord Jacobs TKO 4 (6) 2003-02-18 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
Win 3-0 United Kingdom Neil Kirkwood TKO 1 (6) 2002-12-08 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
Win 2-0 United Kingdom Alvin Miller TKO 1 (6) 2002-10-27 United Kingdom Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London, England
Win 1-0 United Kingdom Gifford Shillingford KO 2 (6) 2002-09-22 United Kingdom Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London, England Professional Debut

Professional kickboxing record

63 Wins (57 knockouts, 0 submission, 6 decisions), 8 Losses, 0 Draws
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win 63-8 Brazil George Arias Decision 3 (3) 2002-08-10 Ichigelki (promoted by Kyokushin karate)
Win 62-8 Hungary Peter Varga TKO 3 (3)
0:53
2001-11-18 England Northampton, England Retained International Kickboxing Federation PRO Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight Title
Lose 61-8 Netherlands Lloyd van Dams Decision 1 (3) 2001-08-08 Japan Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Japan K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka
Lose 61-7 Netherlands Ernesto Hoost Decision 3 (3) 2001-06-16 Australia Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Final
Win 61-6 Canada Michael McDonald Decision 3 (3) 2001-06-16 Australia Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Semi-Final
Win 60-6 Greece Paris Vasilikos KO 2 (3)
1:51
2001-06-16 Australia Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Quarter-Final
Win 59-6 United States Jeff Ford KO 2 (3)
1:51
2000-11-26 England Northampton, England Won International Kickboxing Federation PRO Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight Title
Lose 58-6 Brazil Francisco Filho KO 2 (3)
2:36
2000-08-20 Japan Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Yokohama Semi-Final
Win 58-5 Belarus Alexey Ignashov Decision 3 (3) 2000-08-20 Japan Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Yokohama Quarter-Final
Win 57-5 United Kingdom Ricky Nicklson KO 3 (3)
1:10
2000-04-16 England Aston Villa Leisure Center, Birmingham, England K-1 UK Battle of Britain 2000 Final
Win 56-5 United Kingdom Mark Russell Decision 3 (3) 2000-04-16 England Aston Villa Leisure Center, Birmingham, England K-1 UK Battle of Britain 2000 Semi-Final
Win 55-5 United Kingdom Gary Turner Decision 3 (3) 2000-04-16 England Aston Villa Leisure Center, Birmingham, England K-1 UK Battle of Britain 2000 Quarter-Final
Loss 54-5 France Jérôme Le Banner KO 1 (3)
1:59
1999-08-05 Japan Osaka Dome, Osaka, Japan K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round
Loss 54-4 Netherlands Lloyd van Dams Decision 3 (3) 1999-06-20 Japan Osaka Dome, Osaka, Japan K-1 Braves '99 Semi-Final
1 Extra Round
Win 54-3 South Africa Jan Nortje Decision 3 (3) 1999-06-20 Japan Osaka Dome, Osaka, Japan K-1 Braves '99 Quarter-Final
Loss 53-3 Netherlands Peter Aerts KO 4 (5)
3:00
1999-04-25 Japan Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan K-1 Revenge '99
Loss 53-2 Australia Sam Greco Decision 5 (5) 1998-09-27 Japan Osaka Dome, Osaka, Japan K-1 World Grand Prix '98 Opening Round
Win 53-1 Japan Masaaki Satake TKO 1 (3)
2:06
1998-07-18 Japan Nagoya Dome, Nagoya, Japan K-1 Dream '98
Win 52-1 New Zealand Ray Sefo TKO 2 (3)
3:00
1998-05-24 Japan Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Japan K-1 Braves '98
Win 51-1 South Africa Jan Nortje TKO 3 (3)
0:47
1998-04-09 Japan Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan K-1 Kings '98

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Tom Erikson Submission (Strangle Choke) PRIDE 17 3 November 2001 1 1:51 Tokyo, Japan

Career

References

  1. "It's now or never for the Bedford Banger". Bedford Today. Johnston Press. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  2. Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 23 January 1989
  3. "Matt Skelton jailed for attempting to pervert course of justice". The Daily Telegraph. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  4. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=141021&cat=boxer

External links

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