January 19, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 09, 1429

PARIS, Jan 18: Just six years after his conversion to boxing, unknown British fighter Matt Skelton aims to become world heavweight champion on Saturday.

The 40-year-old faces Uzbek title-holder Ruslan Chagaev, a former world amateur champion, who took the crown from Russia’s Nikolay Valuev in one of the recent changes at the top of the heavyweight ranks scarred by a bewildering array of governing bodies and anonymous contenders.

Chagaev, nick-named the ‘White Tyson’, is unbeaten in 23 fights with 17 knockouts and is making his first defence of the WBA title.

He is 12 years Skelton’s junior, but the former kick-boxing exponent, who honed his skills in the Far East, insists he is not overwhelmed as he bids to become the first British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

His trainer Michael Timm said that Chagaev has prepared for the fight against large and aggressive sparring partners.

“Our preparation has been very long and intense,” said Timm.

“Matt Skelton is a strong man who has a good punch and was able to beat Michael Sprott. His KO rate speaks for itself. He’s certainly not coming to Dusseldorf to collect a bouquet of flowers and a paycheck,” He stated.—AFP