Sport : Boxing

MATT SKELTON SET FOR RETURN

2nd February 2012, 11:22am

Matt Skelton: Set to return next month

Matt Skelton: Set to return next month

Matt Skelton will return to the ring for the first time since October 2010 when he takes on Tom Dallas.

The two British heavyweights will do battle in an eight-rounder on March 3 as part of the undercard to Jamie McDonnell's defence of his European bantamweight title against Malik Bouziane.

Skelton - who lost to Ruslan Chagaev on points when challenging for the WBA title back in 2008 - has not fought since being beaten by Michael Sprott in the final of the Prizefighter tournament over a year ago.

However, he is now looking forward to getting involved again in a crowded domestic scene that also includes the likes of David Price and Tyson Fury.

"Britain has the best crop of young heavyweights in the world at the moment and I can't wait to get back in the mix and start on the likes of Price and Fury," Skelton said.

Dallas (12-1) lost to Liverpudlian Price last time out, albeit after taking the bout at very short notice.

He told www.frankmaloney.com: "I am not making any excuses, David beat me fair and square but I took the fight at short notice. This time I will have time to train to beat Skelton and hopefully get another crack at 'Pricey' later on down the line.

"Many heavyweights have a loss on their record, it's how you come back.

"I wanted to fight a real opponent and not a Latvian lemon, so it is great to be taking on such a high profile fighter."