Skelton turns down Maskaev offer

http://www.saddoboxing.com/3923-boxi...ith-offer.html

So, Matt Skelton says that Oleg Maskaev didn't offer him enough money to fight. Now then, here's my view on this:

1) Skelton is 39, no matter how fit he is, there can't be too many fights left in the tank.
2) His only real reputation is in Britain, and a world title shot would at least give him international exposure, even with a narrow defeat would not be an overly bad thing for him.
3) IT'S A WORLD TITLE SHOT.
4) If he wins, he could make loads of money with the defences....soooooo, my deduction is that Skelton is either scared, doesn't think he can win, or is a very shrewd businessman when we see an even bigger money fight come along for him. At the moment I think it may have not been the right decision, but hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

Other opinions?

It's official....Skelton is retarded

Anyways I thought Peter Okhello was getting a shot vs Oleg

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Originally Posted by Lyle

It's official....Skelton is retarded

Anyways I thought Peter Okhello was getting a shot vs Oleg

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Well maybe so, but lets be honest now what sort of offer do you think Skelton got for this fight? Considering he is barely known outside of the Uk?? Maybe a three course meal on his flight to Russia?

The only way Skelton would have turned this fight down, is because the offer was pathetic, i agree maybe he should of taken it, but whats the chances of winnning in Russia?

depends how much he got offered id like to know how much he got offered before i say anything ;)

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

depends how much he got offered id like to know how much he got offered before i say anything ;)

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Does Skelton really have much else open for him then?

He is old, very old. He wont get too many other title shots and even if successful defences will be limited with his age and lack of skills....

i think hes madea big mistake, i think even with the fight being in russia this is and will be the best chance hes ever gonna get to fight for the world title, makaev is the weakest champ and its only a matter of time b4 he losses his belt, i think skelton would of had a chance to beat him and i aint a fan by a long shot

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Originally Posted by warreng

i think hes madea big mistake, i think even with the fight being in russia this is and will be the best chance hes ever gonna get to fight for the world title, makaev is the weakest champ and its only a matter of time b4 he losses his belt, i think skelton would of had a chance to beat him and i aint a fan by a long shot

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Precisely. if Skelton was to ever have a world title shot, I think Maskaev would be better suited for him then Valuev who has been previously mentioned. As usual "the promoter" has failed to make the big fight come through for his boy, when the offer was on the table. If he were to fight him, I think he'd need to be more of the brawler to take the win, rather than the Evander Holyfield style dancer who appeared to beat Williams last time out. Anyhow, one thing for certain is he can't afford to be sitting around twiddling his thumbs at this stage of his career.

And I agree that the offer was not what he might have hoped for, and even going to russia it would have been worth the gamble for him. How many other opportunities for a title fight is he really going to get?

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Originally Posted by skel1983

Well maybe so, but lets be honest now what sort of offer do you think Skelton got for this fight? Considering he is barely known outside of the Uk?? Maybe a three course meal on his flight to Russia?

The only way Skelton would have turned this fight down, is because the offer was pathetic, i agree maybe he should of taken it, but whats the chances of winnning in Russia?

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Originally Posted by warreng

i think hes madea big mistake, i think even with the fight being in russia this is and will be the best chance hes ever gonna get to fight for the world title, makaev is the weakest champ and its only a matter of time b4 he losses his belt, i think skelton would of had a chance to beat him and i aint a fan by a long shot

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Totally agreed mate, but Skelten came into Boxing at 35 years old and he is basically in it for the money, the guy has been getting paid close to £100,000 a fight with Danny Williams, im sure the offer was very very insulting becasue we know what sort of guy Skelton is he will fight anyone anywhere, but he also has to remember he is 39 years old if he can get paid say 5/6 times what this guy is offering against some bum from Britain, thats what he will do. I dont agrre he should take his chance but at the end of the day it is his livlehood.

skelton sucks. he wouldnt win

...now that I think about it Skelton could be the next in line for Nicolay Valuev...that guy ALWAYS goes for the best out there

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Originally Posted by skel1983

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Originally Posted by warreng

i think hes madea big mistake, i think even with the fight being in russia this is and will be the best chance hes ever gonna get to fight for the world title, makaev is the weakest champ and its only a matter of time b4 he losses his belt, i think skelton would of had a chance to beat him and i aint a fan by a long shot

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Totally agreed mate, but Skelten came into Boxing at 35 years old and he is basically in it for the money, the guy has been getting paid close to £100,000 a fight with Danny Williams, im sure the offer was very very insulting becasue we know what sort of guy Skelton is he will fight anyone anywhere, but he also has to remember he is 39 years old if he can get paid say 5/6 times what this guy is offering against some bum from Britain, thats what he will do. I dont agrre he should take his chance but at the end of the day it is his livlehood.

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What do you mean, the offer was probably insulting... What the hell has Skelton done to deserve a title shot?? IMO he could have been offered no money, and it still wouldn't be insulting... If he really thought he could win the belt then he would obviously collect a nice payday afterwards. Maskaev should be fighting Toney or Peter, Lyakovich, Brewster, Valuev, anyone... THe fact that he even offered Skelton a shot is insulting, to boxing fans.. Skelton is awful.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

It's official....Skelton is retarded

Anyways I thought Peter Okhello was getting a shot vs Oleg

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Skelton needs to retire...he's obviously suffering from severe brain damage!!! Pass up the title because of a few dollars!!!!???!!! Who the F*CK is Skelton to say such a thing!!!!

Well without knowing the amount he was offered I would still probably say he did the right thing.

The position he is in now he is likely to be able to get a title shot with any of the champs apart from Wladimr. He probably knows already there are other offers for him out there, he's no mug.

Also travelling to the states for peanuts in a fight he couldn't realistically win a decision because of home judging is not appealing to any fighter.

Skelton isn't afraid of anyone, he's proven that throughout his career. I'm sure both he and his team knew exactly why they turned down the offer and what his other options are.

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Originally Posted by p4pking

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Originally Posted by skel1983

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Originally Posted by warreng

i think hes madea big mistake, i think even with the fight being in russia this is and will be the best chance hes ever gonna get to fight for the world title, makaev is the weakest champ and its only a matter of time b4 he losses his belt, i think skelton would of had a chance to beat him and i aint a fan by a long shot

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Totally agreed mate, but Skelten came into Boxing at 35 years old and he is basically in it for the money, the guy has been getting paid close to £100,000 a fight with Danny Williams, im sure the offer was very very insulting becasue we know what sort of guy Skelton is he will fight anyone anywhere, but he also has to remember he is 39 years old if he can get paid say 5/6 times what this guy is offering against some bum from Britain, thats what he will do. I dont agrre he should take his chance but at the end of the day it is his livlehood.

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What do you mean, the offer was probably insulting... What the hell has Skelton done to deserve a title shot?? IMO he could have been offered no money, and it still wouldn't be insulting... If he really thought he could win the belt then he would obviously collect a nice payday afterwards. Maskaev should be fighting Toney or Peter, Lyakovich, Brewster, Valuev, anyone... THe fact that he even offered Skelton a shot is insulting, to boxing fans.. Skelton is awful.

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Yes i agree, he has not done alot to earn a shot but in terms of his previous earnings, it must have been a great deal lower for him to turn it down, his last two fights with Danny Williams were prime time viewing in the Uk with an audience of over 7 million viewers in terms of tv coverage that was about 15/20% which is very good he has been getting paid very well recently, thats what i meant, why take a huge risk for no reward financially, yes the chance of being WBC Champ, but whats the chances of getting a decision in Russia? I dont no we all know you should take oppurtunitys like this with open hands especially if your as limited as Skelton, but this is a business he is 39 yeasr old not to much left in the tank, he needs to make as much money as possible.

Skelton should take the fight on a risk/reward basis, if he wins he can get a massive payday, if he makes a good account of himself, he may get a payday or another title shot out of it, or he should retire.