Matt Skelton Interview

majorsporty caught up with Matt Skelton during his final couple of weeks of intensive training before his next fight, his rematch with Danny Williams on July 8th 2006 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Williams won the previous bout with a controversial decision after 12 rounds so it is sure to be ferocious stuff.

Matt beat Danny williams in the rematch to reclaim his title

Matt has achieved great success after taking up professional boxing late in his career and winning the English Heavyweight title after 8 fights and the British Title after 13 fights. Matt’s early professional sporting career saw him compete in Thai Boxing and later in K1 fighting in Japan. His strength, stamina and sheer determination won him a big following and near cult like status in Asia. Matt is completely approachable, humble and wants to let his skill, results and track record in the ring speak for him. We hope that you will get an insight into what makes him so popular in his hometown of Bedford where he is a sporting hero.

The Training Camp

Matt was in the final few weeks of training before the fight. He explained that now is all about intensity of the training with shorter runs designed to hit higher heart rates. Like a lot of good sports training they aim for specific goals which are designed to be similar or close to the game, race or fight. This approach usually promotes high level performance, in others words train how you play…or fight!! Matt is philosophical about this and says that athletes all over the world, with different natural strengths and sizes, in many different sports use different methods and often most important is to find what works for you. He has been sparring in shorter intensive rounds with 18 x 1 minute rounds coupled with roadwork of 2-3 miles often with short sprints and bursts. He likens this to the pace and variation within the fight, within each 3 minute round the fighters pick up the pace and then slow down as each tests the other and looks for that opening.

Matt tells me that after the last fight he has worked hard on continuing to improve his technique, sparring with different styles of boxers in training. This in itself can not be an easy task to find people prepared to spar with over 18 stone of determination and power. (having played rugby against Matt many years ago I can vouch for the theory that the bigger they are the more they flatten you if you get it wrong in the tackle!). Prior to this training camp and fight campaign Matt has worked less on bulk and more on strength and endurance in his training with weights.

He has also changed his diet slightly reducing treats he used to enjoy as part of previous training rewards and working on increasing his protein. This has left him feeling lean, has helped to improve his work rate and best of all as a natural solution it has made him feel on top form. He tells me that he feels lighter and fitter but without losing his power, this can only be bad news for anyone fighting him. I enquire about his views on Danny Williams using an Oxygen tent for training but Matt won’t be drawn and merely says ”Oxygen Tent?…I’ve not even been in a tent!!’

Any bad feelings from the last fight and the controversial Decision?

Matt comes across as a gentle giant without a bad word to say on rivals and with a genuine desire to work hard and achieve his goal of a world title fight. He was as you might expect hugely disappointed over the judge’s decision to award the last fight to Danny. He is not bitter and has respect for Danny having stood toe to toe with him over 12 rounds. He explained that the judges did not like his unpolished style and he is aware that he is labelled as a brawler but correctly points out that this has got him this far. His background in Thai boxing and martial arts rather than a track record in amateur boxing may also reduce his appeal to the boxing hierarchy. He is bemused by the banter and ‘slanging’ matches that are often associated with boxing as one fighter seeks to exploit insecurities in their opponent and boost their own confidence. He comments that he has never been one to throw stones and would rather focus his energies towards his training and the actual fight itself.

Do you think you will get a shot at the world title fight?

Hopefully yes, but right now Matt is just keen to overcome the next hurdle. As he says with determination, he thought he had done enough last time, but apparently not. He says he is in great shape and determined to make amends and after that it will come down to the promoters and what people want to see.

How did you get started in Boxing?

Matt explained that when he had returned from fighting K1 in Japan he was keen to sharpen up and also change his fighting style. A friend said that he ought to try boxing. He did and showed a natural ability, Kevin Sanders suggested he consider a professional boxing career and the rest as they say is history.

Tell us a bit about your career and your personal highlights?

I am pleased to say that Matt holds rugby dear to his heart and that was were he started to enjoy physical sports and of course like most of us he enjoyed the banter. Many of his friends were involved in Thai boxing on an amateur basis and through them he started to train 2-3 times a week. Given his physical size, power and determination Matt quickly realised that he wanted to take it to another level. He starting fighting in the UK and went 35 fights unbeaten, hardly surprising when you consider he was over 18 stone!!

Matt wanted to improve further and heard about different competitions in Japan and Thailand. The Japanese circuit was by invitation only so he was forced to follow his dream to Thailand first to prove his credentials. He won a big tournament in Thailand winning a Gold Medal fighting for Great Britain. This was his ticket to Japan where he entered the ranks of K1 ultimate fighting. They watched videos of his previous bouts and saw plenty of potential. He was offered 3 initial bouts, which he won and this led to a 4 year, contract in Japan. He told me he only lost 6 fights in 67 fights on the professional K1 circuit and they were split decisions. I have heard others in the know say this experience and toughening has given Matt the confidence for his boxing career. In summary if they couldn’t knock him out with their elbows, knees and feet then it was unlikely that anyone else could with just their fists.

Are there any other sports that you follow or would like to have been good at?

Matt, as already mentioned, tried his hand at rugby some time ago and says that this has always been a personal love of his, he says due to the mix of physical contact, the need for subtle skills and of course massive heart. He would like to have excelled at Rugby and think with the right support and people to guide him he might have been quite good. He explained that although he has always had the dedication and determination to succeed when he younger other friends were doing different things and he wanted to be part of that as well. He also commented that every boys dream was to become a footballer and more than every before it has become a golden sport with massive earnings and publicity.

Are there any sports men and sports women that you admire or who give you inspiration?

Locally Matt pointed at Bedford’s own Paula Radcliffe as a sporting icon who has achieved not only new standards in Athletics for women but is also competing at a level with the men. He said he admired her more for her determination and guts when things hadn’t always gone to plan. Matt also found it disappointing that the press in particular seemed keen to build people up and then enjoy pulling them down. As he says, at difficult times in any of our lives, that’s when friends and family are the most important things for all of us.

In boxing Matt listed Ali as the greatest…funny I think I have heard that before somewhere. Matt explained what separated Ali was the dignity that he maintained during in his career and also given his rise and path to fame in difficult times. Ali has been a great ambassador for sport throughout his career and beyond.

If you could be a Superhero, which one and why?

Spiderman was his initial thought which was quickly followed by Superman. As to why Spiderman he found it difficult to put his finger on the reason but said he always had that certain coolness and was a bit special. He also confessed to quite liking the Incredible Hulk, appropriate enough.

Any thanks that you would like to make?

As you would expect there are a large number of people who are part of Team Skelton and many other friends and family who have helped him achieve his success to date. In particular he highlighted Lui, a close friend, who has organised much of the day to day schedules as a great help. In Thai Boxing Michael Howlett helped him transition from a promising amateur into a professional Thai fighter and K1 Gold medallist. His boxing trainer Kevin Sanders has also helped him develop his career as a boxer. Most of all in typical Matt fashion he saves his final thanks for his fans and points out that the people of Bedford have been 100% behind him. He says he realises that they travel long distances to support him, usually at considerable cost. This is part of his determination to succeed and also why he is always happy to talk to local people and fans.

For more info check out his site: www.mattskelton.uk.com/index.php

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