The World and British RBR's! - Chagaev/Skelton and Pickering/Hughes

OK folks, we got the first busy weekend of boxing coming up tomorrow and Saturday night, and as usual Saddo's will be providing a full (of beer and vinegar) unbiased (unless I'm a fan of either fighter) and concise (unless I ramble on about something) coverage of each bout.

First off on Friday night we have Esham Pickering giving Sean Hughes a chance to repeat his shock victory of Pickering, with Pickering's British Super Bantamweight title on the line this time. Last time out Pickering was stunned in what was scheduled to be a keep-busy fight against Hughes, where the brave Hughes showed guts, determination and skill to outwork and beat Pickering in impressive fashion.

Second up on Saturday night we have the WBA World Heavyweight Title of Ruslan Chagaev on the line against Brit Matt Skelton, who is the first Brit in four years to challenge for a version of the World Title since Danny Williams' brave effort against Klitschko in 2004.

previews to follow....

First up is Esham Pickering v Sean Hughes on Friday night, and here's how I see this one:

Esham Pickering (32-6, 12 KOs) will once again be a huge favourite going into this bout, despite his defeat against Hughes last time out which led to this match being made. Normally a slick boxer standing fairly tall at the weight, Pickering looked under-trained and overweight when he struggled to survive an onslaught which left him cut and battered at the hands of Hughes. However, I can't see Pickering making the same mistake twice, and will almost certainly go on to beat the brave Hughes in this bout. Going into his twelfth year in boxing, Pickering will be hoping that he can make his second British super bantamweight reign continue, and set up a potential clash with Rendall Munroe, which was scrapped to let this bout take place.

As for Sean Hughes (14-6-1, 1KO), he will be revelling in the limelight granted him by the shock victory back in November, and will be looking to create a bigger shock by claiming the British title on Friday night. The referee's score of 77-75 was generous to Pickering, who struggled to impose himself on the first bout and Hughes nearly claimed the second KO of his career rattling Pickering badly in the last couple of rounds. A solid boxer with power not credited in his record, Hughes has fought most of Britain's best at the weight for various titles, but back to back defeats to Riaz Durghahed and Billy Corcoran in 2006 seemed to consign him to journeyman status. But the guy deserves another shot at Pickering, and an awful lot of neutrals will be backing Hughes to repeat his shock.

Fight coverage starts at 10pm on Friday night, or 11pm continental Europe and 5pm EST.

CC for the RBR's Rhun I always enjoy them even though I will be watching both.

My vote is UD'S for the favourites, Chagaev and Pickering.

And on Saturday is the big one. Ruslan Chagaev v Matt Skelton

Ruslan Chagaev (23-0-1, 17KOs) will need to shake off the ring-rust quickly come Saturday night, after a protracted 9-month break since he outboxed the giant Nikolay Valuev to win the WBA title. Although he didn't seem to hold great power nor great movement in that bout, he did enough to wrench the title away, and will get a very different fight against Skelton. Although his undefeated record is creditable, Chagaev's last two fights against Ruiz and Valuev to claim a world title may have been the easiest possible, and will need to prove himself before he's considered alongside the Klitschko's. With wins over former Skelton victims Sprott and Krence, Chagaev's biggest challenge is likely to be keeping Skelton from smothering him.

Matt Skelton (21-1, 18KOs) is a fighter I once said I would never watch fight again, after the embarrasing victory over Michael Sprott which made a laughing stock of the British heavyweight scene, and no doubt set back boxing in Britain by a few thousand fans. However, Sprott didn't come to fight, and the sucker I am, I'm giving him one more chance to win me over, and praying that it was Sprott's negativity that made Skelton impotent that night. As for his style, he'll look to get close with Chagaev and pound big chunks out of him with a rough unsettling style that will be in Chagaev's face all night long. Although being in Germany, Chagaev is deservedly a big favourite, but I think Skelton is in with a shout of doing something in this one, as long as he goes in and bullies his way to the win.

Cc super ill be tuning in to the round by round, really hope Skelton can pull off the upset and get the .K.O that hes gonna need

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Originally Posted by leftylee

CC for the RBR's Rhun I always enjoy them even though I will be watching both.

My vote is UD'S for the favourites, Chagaev and Pickering.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gally

Cc super ill be tuning in to the round by round, really hope Skelton can pull off the upset and get the .K.O that hes gonna need

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Cheers dudes....returned. ;) I really do give Skelton a chance in this one if he can play to his best attributes, and avoid the impotence he showed to lead the fight against Sprott, and the dancing pretend boxer in the Williams rematch.

Good little write-up, Rhun. CC.

I think Hughes can repeat the win. He's gonna be seriously confident after last time, it's Pickering that has to make some drastic changes.

Ive seen worse 13/8 shots.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

OK folks, we got the first busy weekend of boxing coming up tomorrow and Saturday night, and as usual Saddo's will be providing a full (of beer and vinegar) unbiased (unless I'm a fan of either fighter) and concise (unless I ramble on about something) coverage of each bout.

First off on Friday night we have Esham Pickering giving Sean Hughes a chance to repeat his shock victory of Pickering, with Pickering's British Super Bantamweight title on the line this time. Last time out Pickering was stunned in what was scheduled to be a keep-busy fight against Hughes, where the brave Hughes showed guts, determination and skill to outwork and beat Pickering in impressive fashion.

Second up on Saturday night we have the WBA World Heavyweight Title of Ruslan Chagaev on the line against Brit Matt Skelton, who is the first Brit in four years to challenge for a version of the World Title since Danny Williams' brave effort against Klitschko in 2004.

previews to follow....

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CC Rhun.

I had a go at a round by round last week and i thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm going for Chagaev and Hughes. I saw Hughes brutalise Pickering last time out and i don't think this will be much different. I don't think Esham has much left and Hughes in very game and awkward. Like Carlos Maussa actually :D

CC Rhun...takes it out of my hand to do the Chagaev/Skelton rbr...
But I can help you out a bit,if you want...

Im hoping for Pickering to TKO Hughes, CC Super.

CCs returned as tradition insists Fen, ono and Johnny. If you want to bring in the German perspective Johnny on Saturday night, that'd be great, after all this is a forum not a live commentary and I know I'll have hopes that the entertaining Skelton of a few years ago will show up once again.

How do you feel about Chagaev Johnny? And what do you reckon on his chances against the other title holders if he gets past Skelton?

Anyhow, the Hughes v Pickering coverage is starting in a few minutes, and fans new favourite Sean Hughes will be gunning for the British title!

Hughes looks damm confident in the buildup.

Hughes DOES look very confident, and he's brought a fair few fans with him too. Loving the walk in to "Hi Ho Silver Lining". A mix of cheers and boos for him.

Esham Pickering's announcement greeted with plenty of noise from the crowd, and a fair few boos audible too. He looks nervous, and has a sweat on already. "Soulja Boy (Crank That)" is his entrance music, and he is probably getting a few more boos than Hughes did.

Flippin heck. Looking at the tale of the tape, I didn't realise that Hughes is actually the taller fighter! He didn't look any taller last time out. Anyhow, next up its fight time. ;)

ye he has reach and height advantage Hughes and I could not believe the boos Pickering got.

I'll be your assistant Rhun ;)

Round 1:

Pickering is definitely has the quieter fans in this event. Pickering doesn't even look up at Hughes as they get the pep talk from the ref. Hughes lands a jab, but takes on e back early doors. Hook from Hughes lands. Pickering looking to stay off Hughes. Hughes' jab looking effective. Straight right goes right through Hughes' guard nicely. Pickering gets inside and digs the right to the body three times. Hughes with good jab and straight left combo. Pickering is lunging in, landing hooks, but taking shots in the process. Big left from Hughes as Pickering comes in, and Pickering's face is reddened already. Pickering caught again as he comes in. Pickering wobbled with a Hughes left. Right hook from Pickering.

Hughes is way the better fighter so far.
10-9