Boxing: Skelton back with a bang

It was a bit of a pot-boiler for the 39-year-old former Bedford kick-boxer, but it kept him in trim for the 25 July date with Williams in Manchester. Kalachyan, 33, was put down by body shots in the third, then showed no inclination to beat the count. Skelton said: "He wasn't the highest calibre opponent but I did what needed to be done."

The podgy southpaw did at least throw punches and caught Skelton early on. Williams, who is seeking to repeat last month's win, was among the spectators.

Unbeaten Stephen Foster jnr from Manchester made a workmanlike first defence of his World Boxing Union featherweight belt with a unanimous points decision over Scottish challenger John Simpson.

The 25-year-old former ABA champion took control from the fourth round onwards despite having a point deducted for illegal use of the head in the 11th.