Confident Skelton ready for Sprott

Matt Skelton, who switched from K-1 martial arts fighting in Japan to storm the UK domestic heavyweight boxing rankings in his mid-thirties, aims to win the British and Commonwealth titles in just his 13th fight tonight.

Skelton, who admits to being 35 but is believed by some of his rivals to be older, challenges Michael Sprott at Reading’s Rivermead Leisure Centre in the UK..

He has progressed rapidly since his professional debut in September 2002, winning the English title in just his eighth fight, stopping former British champion Michael Holden in the fourth round in Dagenham.

After winning all his first 11 fights inside the distance, Skelton was taken the full 10 rounds for the first time as he clearly outpointed former Mike Tyson victim Julius Francis in February to retain his English title and secure the chance to challenge Sprott.

“It only seems like yesterday I had my debut and here I am looking at the British and Commonwealth titles and I feel it is the right time for me. I’m confident,” said Skelton, who claims never to have been troubled in the boxing ring.

“Everybody I’ve fought has had that many more fights than me but there was nothing I could do about that. At my age I couldn’t sit about until I’d had 30 fights.

“There’s no-one I think, ‘Wow, I had to dig deep there.’ My toughest fights have been in Thai boxing. Win or lose, you would have to have a week off because your body took a pounding, but after boxing I’ve been ready to get straight back in the gym.”

Skelton added: “The Francis fight didn’t do me any credit but he didn’t cause me any problems. He came to survive but I showed I could do the 10 rounds and won the fight.”

Sprott, 28, who will be defending his championships in his home town, insists that he has become a much better fighter since becoming champion by outpointing Danny Williams, who had beaten him inside the distance in two previous title attempts.

“It’s given me more confidence and I’ve developed extra power,” claimed Sprott, winner of 25 of his 31 fights in an eight-year career.

“I’ve done things the hard way in this game. I haven’t had an easy ride at all but it’s starting to pay off now and I want to go on to bigger things. My ambition’s still to win a world title.”