Skelton Stops Moli for WBU Crown
by
Robin York
2/26 - In an messy, mauling and physically exhausting battle, Matt Skelton became the WBU Heavyweight champion by stopping the game, but out of shape Argentine Fabio Moli.
The win is likely to set up an all British clash between Skelton and Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams in the summer, but while Skelton once again showed his bullish walk-through walls style, he also showed his weaknesses again.
No one can argue with the win though. Skelton was always in control and outlasted a tired Moli who was floored 3 times in round 6 in scrappy exchanges. Moli waved Skelton in each time he climbed off the deck to show his gameness but Skelton's desire and harder punches finally forced the Argentine's corner to persuade the referee to stop the fight.
While it is a great achievement for Skelton to win a world title in less than 3 years as a pro, lets not kid ourselves. This maybe classed as a world title fight but in reality the skill factor was far from it. Skelton is good at what he does, with his come forward style but watching the fight it could of just been two large blokes off the street with gloves on having a swing at each other.
The Bedford man crowds his work so much. If he just took a step back and placed his punches it would look a lot classier. But I guess that's just not his style. He is in a hurry to get to the top and he fights like he is in a hurry too. Throwing lots of leather until basically his opponent finally slumps to the canvass. But his work is so predictable you would think a classy boxer would be able to outbox Skelton quite comfortably. Enter Danny Williams.
The skill factor and probably single punch power will be with Williams if the two face off and I would expect Williams to use this to his complete advantage. Skelton will have to draw the Brixton man into a brawl and gradually break him down, but Williams will not be standing in one place long enough for Skelton to be effective. If Danny Williams is mentally right for a fight against Skelton and weighs in between 17 and 18 stone he should have no problem in staying out of range for a clear points victory. But it all depends on which Danny Williams turns up.
On the undercard to Matt Skelton's 6th round stoppage of Fabi Moli, British Lightweight champion Graham Earl lost his unbeaten record in a non-title 8 rounder to the 21 year old Scot Ricky Burns.
Burns took the fight at a weeks notice and was also fighting above his weight, but he boxed brilliantly to take his record to 10-0. Referee Ritchie Davis scored 79-75 in favour of Burns which seemed a little harsh on Earl but the right man and that's the most important thing.
Earl, who had struggled with the awkward Bobby Vanzie could not get to grips with the Scot's style and was caught with the jab far too often.
The first round was tough to score, Earl landing some nice single shots to the body while Burns landing a couple of nice jabs. But Burns dominated the British Lightweight Champion in rounds 2,3 and 4 by picking off his man with crisp jabs and solid right hands. The movement of Burns was also very impressive, rarely staying in one place for long.
Round 5 was a good round for Earl. He began to get closer and land some good rights on the inside and it looked as if Burns may be tiring.
The action became a bit scrappy in round 6 and was difficult round to score as no telling punches were landed by either men. But Burns dominated the last two rounds, this time by neglecting his movement to trade with Earl which surprisingly was very effective.
So what now for Earl? He was supposed be defending his British title against the Commonwealth champion Kevin Bennett who was ringside but that could all go out the window now. It will be interesting to see what his next move is.
As for Burns, he claims he will go back to super-featherweight which is his natural weight rather than go for a rematch with Earl with the British title on the line. Burns looks a good fighter and do not believe this was a fluke win. With a few more fights under his belt Burns could become a force at either super-featherweight or lightweight.
Also on the Wembley bill, Steve Murray made a winning return by forcing Jeff Thomas to retire at the end of the 3rd round. In typical Murray fashion, he wasted no time in hunting down his man, who took some meaty shots in the opening 2 rounds. Thomas showed distress signals in the 3rd round and straight left floored him just before the bell to the end the round. He walked back to his corner on shaky legs where his corner wisely pulled him out. It was Murray's first fight back since losing to Earl for a second time back in July last year.
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