By Mark Vester

According to overseas reports, unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev, who last weekend won the WBA heavyweight title from seven-foot Nikolai Valuev in Stuttgart, Germany, could possibly make the first defense of the title against the winner of the upcoming battle between UK rivals Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott, who fight on May 26 in London.

Both UK fighters are coming off big wins. Skelton won a decision over Danny Williams a few months ago, while Sprott recently knocked out Audley Harrison in three rounds. Sprott is no stranger to Chagaev. The two fighters met last July, in a bout that saw Chagaev win by an eight-round knockout.

Chagaev's defense against the winner of Skelton-Sprott is slated for the summer.