Matt Skelton v Dillian Whyte

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021.


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  1. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Of course.
    Skelton was fighting until he was about 50.

    Whyte has a couple of good wins on paper. He's been far far better managed than Skelton, of course.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    #16
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    That's pretty much undeniable, but I think part of that is that there is a bit more to manage. Skelton had to get as much money as he could in as short a period as possible and he knew that. Whyte is a young man with an entire career to fight.

    Still, I think this notion of Whyte as protected and managed compared to some others in the division is a little overstated. Certainly, Wilder was handled more carefully and it wouldn't be difficult to argue that Fury was too. Whyte has been matched in unnecessarily tough fights more often than both of them, and usually while waiting for some title shot, too.
     
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
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  3. Man_Machine

    Man_Machine Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You can disagree with the rankings, of course. But that doesn't really change the fact that Whyte has consistently faced better opposition than Skelton ever did.


    And Williams is probably Skelton's best win. So that seems fairly indicative of there being a notable gap between Skelton and Whyte, for mine.
     
    Man_Machine, Nov 2, 2021
    Man_Machine, Nov 2, 2021
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  4. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Dillian Whyte's been paid big money (probably millions) in pay-per-view headliner fights, six times. :lol:
    I guess that's why he had to fight tough opponents. He's not a world champ.
    He turned down 6 or 7 million for a title shot at AJ (2019), so I guess he's doing okay fighting the Parkers and Chisoras and Rivas, and he got favourable judging/refereeing in at least 2 of those fights.
    I'm not sure he's done better at second tier "world level" than Hughie Fury, all things considered.
    And a young Anthony Joshua outclassed him really.

    Obviously Skelton was too old to have a proper career. But at his best, against Whyte at his best, I think that's a close fight ... and a rough one.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    #19
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  5. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Whyte was battered and KO'd by AJ and also KO'd spark out by an old Povetkin.
    I didn't think he deserved better than a 'draw' against Parker, or against Chisora the first time.
    Apart from that he has a KO over Chisora and an ancient Povetkin, and a close decision over Rivas (who probably isn't ever going to be proven world class either).
    He won the British title against Ian Lewison, who was worse than the Brits Skelton was beating.


    Whyte would have trouble with that version of Williams.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, he's made a lot of money. But he was fighting tougher opposition as a contender than Wilde was as a champ and than Fury was as a contender, inarguably. If that's all true, I don't really understand the "well managed" remark which in General Forum parlance suggests he's been matched carefully. But I accept it isn't the same thing.

    This being your meaning, I don't think he was managed better than Wilder.

    Skelton would not be among Whyte's top five opponents for me. Chisora, Parker, Rivas, Povetkin and Helenius are all better boxers. Skelton really wasn't that good.

    I'll leave that there.
     
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
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  7. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Well managed because he's rated so highly based on largely some razor close decisions, devastating KO defeats haven't seem to lessen his ranking, no rematch given to Parker but instant rematch in the 'final eliminator' with the old Russian. Oh, and par-per-view paydays against the likes of Rivas, who is fairly obscure, in a non-world-title fight .... incredibly well managed/promoted.

    Helenius was looking good years ago, but not when Whyte faced him.
    Povetkin was ancient, and possibly ill.

    I agree, Skelton wasn't much good.
    He's about the same level as Whyte though. Similar style too.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
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  8. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I'll laugh if Whyte knocks Tyson Fury out though.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
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  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well that's not good management, so much as he being slightly better than two of the fighters he met. I agree he could have lost one of those and it wouldn't have been unusual.

    They did lessen his ranking. Then he avenged it and that enhanced his ranking. None of this is below board because Povetkin remained a ranked fighter.

    On the other hand, he was the number one contender to a strap for 1000 days, which is unprecedented at any weight in the entire history of boxing as far as I can tell. That is arguably disgustingly bad management.

    Helenius is now back in the mix. Regardless, I pick him over Skelton when Whyte fought him. I think he's better than Skelton. Could be wrong about that, but I'd pick Helenius.

    I'd pick ancient, possibly ill Povetkin to beat Skelton and everyone he ever defeated.

    Disagree. I think Whyte is third class, and Skelton fifth or sixth class.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2021
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    #24
  10. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Skelton v Rivas would be a good fight too.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
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  11. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    What about AJ and Bruno?
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    Unforgiven, Nov 2, 2021
    #26
  12. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Dillian whyte wins. Not sure what the exact outcome is
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 2, 2021
    mr. magoo, Nov 2, 2021
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  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    That would be an exciting brawl.
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 2, 2021
    mr. magoo, Nov 2, 2021
    #28
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  14. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    AJ second class, Bruno third class.
     
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    McGrain, Nov 2, 2021
    #29
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  15. Man_Machine

    Man_Machine Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    In a bout, which far exceeded the quality of either the Skelton/Williams fights.


    But came back and returned the favor.

    So far you've mentioned two of Whyte's opponents, both of whom were well beyond the capabilities of the Skelton and Williams. So, I am not sure what case you think you are building here.


    It doesn't matter what you think. Both Chisora and Parker are better than Skelton and the version of Williams he fought.


    All better than Skelton.


    :lol:


    Highly unlikely, given the gap in class between them, which is evident in their respective records. No one, who gets taken to the wire and knocked out by Audley Harrison is giving a tested practitioner like Whyte any trouble.
     
    Man_Machine, Nov 2, 2021
    Man_Machine, Nov 2, 2021
    #30
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