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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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

WOW Pickering looks awful and nearly got dropped there, he's walking on to everything.

10-9 Hughes easily, bad round wasn't it Rhun for Esham ??

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

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

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Damn :(

Pickering is gonna get KNFO he is AWFUL!!!!!

Round 2:

Cracking first round, and Pickering needs to be much better to survive the fight. Hughes rattles Pickering's cage again with a right early doors. Pickering circling, and worrying about Hughes' power. Jabs from Hughes, and he can't get in at Hughes. Two riht hooks from Pickering, and an uppercut. He's looking to bully Hughes a bit, when he gets in. Right hand from Pickering.Jabs from Hughes again. Pickering swings Hughes over, not counted though, rightly. Pickering caught on the way in again. Two body shots and an uppercut from Pickering.

Better from Pickering, but Hughes' round again for me.
20-18

2nd round Esham done better but still round to Hughes.

20-18 on my scorecard to Hughes.

Sounds like Pickering done better that round COME ON PICKERING.

Round 3:

Good jab and straight right from Pickering. He's moving and dodging a little better now. Pickeiring has Hughes rattled, and a straight right has Hughes reeling. Two more hooks from Pickering. Pickering still running forward a little,. Another right hook and an uppercut. Hughes is popping the jab out, but not landing. Right hook and uppercut from Pickering, and Hughes seemed to be turning away. They exchange jabs, and Hughes with his first meaningful shot of the round. Hughes with a flurry of five or six shots, but Pickering;s movement means only one glances him. Pickering with short hooks on the inside. Right to the body but Hughes puts in a decent right hook counter. Much more work from Pickering.

Pickering's stepped it up big time with that one.

29-28 to Hughes.

3RD round much better from Pickering outboxing Hughes and stunning him in that round.

29-28 Hughes

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

Round 4:

Straight right from Hughes. It's a bit scrappy, with Pickering putting in short hooks, and Hughes looking rto catch him on the way in. Good short left on the inside, then an uppercut from Pickering. Solid guard and head movement from Pickering. Hughes lands a left and a jab from Hughes. Pickering with a glancing uppercut. Two left hooks and upercuts from Pickering. Another uppercut, which seems to be his bingo punch at the minute. Pickering's gumshield falls out. a breather. Hughes gets another left hook to his head. Good jab and uppercut from Pickering. Hughes gets caught by a big right hook. Great shot from Pickering. Eight count. Two hooks, an uppercut, and Hughes is down as the bell goes. He gets up, and makes it to his seat.

38-36 Pickering....big big round.

HUGHES DOWN TWICE.

ICB YOU HAVE VIRTUALLY WON THAT PREDICTION BRO.

THIS WILL BE OVER IN THE NEXT ROUND PROBBABLY.

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

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Its my first time entering Prediction contest Bilbo and getting my 1st prediction right is a must. Thats why im excited ;)

YES WOOOOOOO GO PICKERING ADDA BOY ;D

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

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Its my first time entering Prediction contest Bilbo and getting my 1st prediction right is a must. Thats why im excited ;)

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I've got Pickering on points as my pick, looks like he'll get the win by KO which means 2 points.

What you got?

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

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Its my first time entering Prediction contest Bilbo and getting my 1st prediction right is a must. Thats why im excited ;)

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I've got Pickering on points as my pick, looks like he'll get the win by KO which means 2 points.

What you got?

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I got Pickering winning by KO/TKO.

Round 5:

Pickering chariging in now, with big hooks and uppercuts. He's headhunting and succeeding. Hughes swinging bakc, but missing mostly. Decent right hook from Hughes, who still looks a little stunned. Ref warns Pickering, who's given Hughes a breather. Pickering with another right hand. Pickering with a right to the body. Hughes comes back with straight punches down the middle. They're trading big shots, and both take solid shots. Kevin Keegan eat your heart out, this is all out attack from Bboth. ANother huge right hook and an uppercut from Pickering. Hughes is getting caught by repeated hooks and uppercuts. Hughes is coming back, but gets caught and stumbles forward. He ashould be pulled out by his corner. Yet again Pickering warned, and Hughes comes back with a jab or two.

Pickering's round again.
48-45 Pickering.

This fight is AMAZING BTW


Round 5 and Hughes hanging on for dear life and Hughes took a cracking shot flush on the chin.

10-9 Pickering and this should be over soon.

The heart of Hughes in unbelievable and this is Friday fight night at it's best.

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

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I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

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Its my first time entering Prediction contest Bilbo and getting my 1st prediction right is a must. Thats why im excited ;)

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I've got Pickering on points as my pick, looks like he'll get the win by KO which means 2 points.

What you got?

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I got Pickering winning by KO/TKO.

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I well remember my first ever prediction in the comp, it was for a Skelton UD against Sprott.

I would have got it but for one kunt judge who somehow scored it a draw. It was the star fight as well and that judge cost 10 points. I'd have beaten Gamo in the comp if it wasn't for that.

I'm still not over it now

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

Good work boys im on the edge of my seat reading this.

---

I wouldn't go that far they are both absolute bums.

It's like watching an action movie that stars Steven Seagal's brother and someone who was once an extra on a Dennis Hopper film

---

Its my first time entering Prediction contest Bilbo and getting my 1st prediction right is a must. Thats why im excited ;)

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I've got Pickering on points as my pick, looks like he'll get the win by KO which means 2 points.

What you got?

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I got Pickering winning by KO/TKO.

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I well remember my first ever prediction in the comp, it was for a Skelton UD against Sprott.

I would have got it but for one kunt judge who somehow scored it a draw. It was the star fight as well and that judge cost 10 points. I'd have beaten Gamo in the comp if it wasn't for that.

I'm still not over it now

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That was a disgrace Bilbo i can feel your pain mate, Skelton virtually won near enough every round. Sprott done nothing the entire fight even his corner gave him a smack for his embarrassing performance.

OMG this fight is fucking amazing and Hughes owned Esham that round and what a turnaround, Pickering nearly got dropped there.

Round to Hughes 10-9.

Round 6:

Cagey from Hughes, and Pickering leading with big right hands which worry Hughes each time. Pickering is patient too though, and lands two hooks as he retreats from a clinch. Uppercuts in the clinch from Pickering, who is moving well now. Does get caught with a jab though. If this goes 12 I'll eat my sock. Good jab from Pickering, who does get caught with a looping left hook though, and Pickering is in a bit of bother again. He wobbles on the ropes. Another big left, and Pickering is on the run. Pickering moving, and Hughes dfoesn;t have enough left to chase him down. Pickering stands still, and jabs as JHughes comes in now. This is wild brawling stuff, but a good hook from Pickering, but then ships another jab.

Hughes finishes well enough for a drawn round.

58-55

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Originally Posted by leftylee

OMG this fight is F****** amazing and Hughes owned Esham that round and what a turnaround, Pickering nearly got dropped there.

Round to Hughes 10-9.

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>:mad

Round 7.

Pickering getting in with the uppercut. Hook from Pickering, then a clinch. Hughes with a good jab then straight right. Pickering's movement has tailed off, and he's getting caught again. Pickering with a nice right hook. Then a left up top. As lee says, stunning fight. Hooks from Pickering caught on the gloves of Hughes. Hughes with a left hook, but takes another big right from Pickering. They reel around the ring, Pickering doing the pushing, and putting in uppercuts too. Hook from Pickering, and Hughes is tiring again. Uppercut and straight right from Pickering. This is like a street brawl, they're rolling around in there. Good right hook on the bell.

Pickering's round.
68-64

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Originally Posted by Ice Cold Boxing

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Originally Posted by leftylee

OMG this fight is F****** amazing and Hughes owned Esham that round and what a turnaround, Pickering nearly got dropped there.

Round to Hughes 10-9.

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>:mad

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Sorry ICB but Hughes won the 6th IMO.

I give Esham Pickering the 7th.