Cumbria’s Rick Skelton gets the chance to significantly raise his profile when he tops the bill on free boxing channel vipboxing.tv on February 28. 

With viewers in more than 50 countries worldwide, and ratings soaring, Skelton wants to impress when the vipboxing.tv cameras come to Preston’s Guild Hall as he takes on Wales’ Bradley Pryce.

Former Commonwealth champion Pryce is by far the toughest challenge of Skelton’s fledgling career.  The Welshman, a veteran of over 50 fights, has tested many of Europe and the UK’s best fighters and, as recently as November 2013, gave Sergey Rabchenko all he could handle in a European super-welterweight challenge.

Unbeaten light-middleweight Skelton is dedicated to boxing, living at the gym during the week before travelling home at weekends.  The full-time pro, who had over 30 amateur fights, knows the importance of coming out on top against Pryce and says he is determined to make it to 13-0 in Preston.

“However the fights goes, I just want the win,” explained Skelton, 21.  “I’ll look to adapt to what's happening, and I’m definitely looking to impress too, but the most important thing is to get the victory. 

“My trainer Karl Ince has had a couple of lads that have boxed Bradley in the past, and he’s studied him.  I’ve seen what I want to see of him and have been training really hard.

“To be honest, I won’t know if he’s my hardest fight until I get in there, but obviously on paper he’s been about and been in with some good lads.  So, he should be my best opponent.

“I’m not looking past this fight though.  I’ll get it out of the way then we’ll see what comes.  I don’t like to look too far forward.  I’m just massively looking forward to Preston, I’ve got quite a few fans going and it should be a great night.”

Promoter Steve Wood stated: “This is a great opportunity for Rick to impress and show what he can do.  I’m really pleased with the way our channel vipboxing.tv has developed, the viewing figures have been well beyond expectations and it’s a great platform for fighters to showcase their talents to a large audience.  Rick is ready for a test, and Bradley Pryce will definitely give him one.

“We know we’ll be getting a big audience for this show and have some quality undercard action lined up.  We’ve added Mick Hall who recently starred in Prizefighter and who many thought was unlucky against Jack Arnfield.  Rick Godding who’s undefeated in 20 and will be soon fighting for a major title is also appearing.  Keep an eye out for AJ Faizy too who is really exciting to watch.  This will be a great show to see live, some tickets are still available, or tune in on vipboxing.tv.”

VIP Promotions presents an evening of boxing at Preston’s Guild Hall on February 28.  Appearing will be Cumbria’s Rick Skelton versus Wales’ Bradley Pryce.  Also in action will be Preston’s Mick Hall; Bolton’s Rick Godding; Blackburn’s Kurt Grieve, Morgan Jackson and Shakeeb Ali; Lancaster’s Tomi Tatham; Lower Darwen’s AJ Faizy, and Southport’s Scott Moonan.

Tickets priced at £30 (unreserved) are available on the door, from all boxers, or at www.vipbe.co.uk

Tickets at £90 (ringside with a three course meal) are available from the venue (0844 844 7710).