By Mark Vester

WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (23-0-1, 17KOs) is upset with challenger Matt Skelton (21-1, 18KOs) for no-showing the final press conference in Dusseldorf to promote their championship bout on Saturday. Chagaev claims Skelton is afraid to face him, and plans to dish out some punishment when they fight.

Skelton, speaking with The Telegraph, played down the no-show, and told the paper he skipped the press conference to spend some extra time at home and mentally prepare himself for the biggest fight of his career. 

"I decided it was right for me to stay those extra hours," Skelton said. "I needed peace during these two days in my preparation. I wanted the head space. This is a dream fight, and now a real opportunity."

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