By Chris Williamson
British, Commonwealth and WBO European welterweight champion Bradley Skeete sat down with Boxingscene.com to reveal his future plans and talk about the deep division he operates in.
“I'll be fighting in Cardiff on July 16, which will be a defence of my WBO European title, and then again in September, where I'll defend my British and Commonwealth titles,” explained Skeete, who is waiting on opponents to be confirmed for both bouts.
The July date is scheduled at the Cardiff Ice Arena on a huge Queensbury Promotions bill headlined by Guellermo Rigondeaux defending his (newly reinstated) WBA Super bantamweight title against Jazza Dickens.
Liam Williams's British and Commonwealth light-middleweight clash against Gary Corcoran is also on the show, which will be broadcast live on Boxnation in the U.K.
“I'm number six in the world with the WBO, partly as a result of holding (their European title) so it's important to defend and keep that,” added Skeete. “With the British and Commonwealth it's a different (pool of) fighters, so they will be defended in September—I'm keeping busy.”
Skeete, 23-1, won the British and Commonwealth titles in March this year with a thrilling unanimous decision win against holder Sam Eggington. Skeete finally got his hands on the two titles he felt he'd earned 15-months earlier against Frankie Gavin on a huge Frank Warren show at the Excel Arena in London only for Gavin to get the nod.
A week after the death of one of his heroes, a relaxed Skeete was sporting a black T-shirt which simply reads “Muhammad Ali” when I caught up with him.
I asked Skeete about a potential WBO route, with an IBF/WBO unification fight between countryman Kell Brook and American Jessie Vargas all but signed for September.
“That belt [WBO] could be freed up in time [due to the difficulties in satisfying competing mandatory obligations], and that looks like a good route for me, but first of all I am aiming to defend my belts and win the British title outright,” he said.
The London-based Skeete also revealed that he is looking forward to boxing in Wales. “It is a nice change,” he said. “Boxing is on a high right now and there are shows being held everywhere, which can only be good.”
We continued discussing the world scene at welterweight, with Skeete saying: “It's a great division. I've always rated Kell Brook. Then [WBA champion] Keith Thurman is very strong and the other champion is [WBC titlist] Danny Garcia, who is a great fighter.”
Arguably the top two fighters in the division, Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley don't currently hold one of the “big four” world titles.
As for the upcoming Keith Thurman v Shawn Porter clash, Skeete predicted the outcome for Boxingscene. He said: “It's a good fight. Porter is strong and might drag him into a hard fight, but I rate Thurman and think he wins on points.”
“Kell is world class,” he continued Skeete. “Whereas I've just won the British and Commonwealth, but in the next twelve months I could be knocking on the door (of a world title challenge). I'm also ranked number nine with the IBF, so things are looking good for me. I'm going to walk before I can run.”
