Bedford Bear Skelton batters Kovarik on his homecoming show

Fighting on his home patch for the first time in his career the 45-year-old former Commonwealth, British and European heavyweight champion and WBA world title challenger bossed his encounter against Ladislav Kovarik.

The immobile Kovarik was far heavier at 18st 6lb 8oz and Skelton, who tipped the scales at 16st 13lb 4oz, took full advantage as he scored a comprehensive stoppage victory 48 seconds into the third round.

It was the 27th victory from 33 fights of the Bedford Bear’s career and was never in any doubt as

After a good start to life in the pro ranks it was the 11th defeat for the 37-year-old Kovarik from his 20-fight career after stepping in as a late replacement.

The rotund Kovarik was a sitting duck for Skelton from the off who was far more mobile than his opponent from Prague in the Czech Republic.

Skelton had him in trouble with 40 seconds of the first round left, but Kovarik battled through to the bell despite a cut to his left eye.

Hard-working Skelton continued to bely as his age as he carried the fight to his opponent in the second round.

Skelton’s exceptional work on the inside was really softening the eastern Europe up as he purposefully changed his stance several times to ‘switch hit’ at his opponent.

The third saw Skelton power home his advantage from the start as both opened up and he got the result he was looking for 48 seconds in. Trapping his opponent in the corner a flurry of punches from Skelton proved too much for Kovarik as he was unable to regain his feet.