Brave Skelton fails in his bid for the world heavyweight crown

The 40-year-old from Bedford gave the champion plenty to think about but his lack of boxing ability cost him dear and the cleaner shots of Chagaev earned him victory by scores of 117-110, 117-111 (twice).

It brought an end to Skelton's "fairytale" chance at the illustrious title just seven years after making his belated professional debut at the age of 33, and at least maintained his record of having never been stopped.

It was not exactly a straightforward first defence for the Uzbek, who often laboured and was frequently knocked out of his stride but proved he possesses the best left-handed counter-punch in the business.

Skelton performed above expectation having scored a dreadful points win over Michael Sprott last July - ironically a performance which probably earned his shot against a champion looking for a routine first defence.

Routine it was not. But it was always likely Chagaev, a magnificent amateur with two world titles to his name, was going to prove too clever for the relatively one-dimensional Briton.

Skelton had started well, wrestling himself inside and scoring enough early success to take the opener against a champion who looked content to bide his time.

Renowned for those crisp counter-shots which helped him dispose of Russian giant Nikolai Valuev last year to claim the title, the Uzbek started the second round better and connected with two trademark lefts.

It was unsurprisingly developing into a scrappy affair, and referee Guillermo Perez broke up the action to warn Skelton about punching round the back of Chagaev's head.

Moving cleverly, Chagaev found room to clatter another fine left into the side of his opponent's head, but the Briton shook it off and started the third in superb fashion behind a neatly functioning jab.

He might be nicknamed the 'White Tyson', but Chagaev's thunderous lefts were having little impact on Skelton's chin and the bell signalled the end of probably the best three rounds of the challenger's career.

Taller by three inches and weighing in almost two stones heavier, Skelton was seeking to use those advantages to maximum effect by boring in close and unsettling Chagaev.

But the Uzbek's powerful left hands helped him clearly take round four and for all Skelton's admirable intent, it was the champion's cleaner and much cleverer work which was winning him the rounds.

Two excellent hooks right at the end of the fifth had Skelton holding on for the first time but he responded well, clawing in closer in the sixth which negated the left hand of Chagaev but drew booing from the capacity crowd.

Skelton, who for all his competitiveness had probably only claimed the first round on the judges' cards, ended the sixth bleeding from the nose and things got worse when he walked into two booming lefts early in the seventh.

The challenger responded with an excellent left uppercut of his own and possibly just shaded the seventh. Chagaev was probably wishing he had not picked Skelton as his voluntary opponent after all.

Skelton was deducted a point in the eighth round but it was unlikely to matter at that stage, with Chagaev barging his way into a big lead without ever really looking like a convincing champion.

Chagaev ended the ninth by jolting Skelton across the ring with a stiff hook and poured in big shots at the start of the 10th, again failing to shake the admirable resolve of his opponent.

Skelton continued battling until the final bell but he was almost out on his feet as Chagaev roared forward before both fighters responded with a warm embrace after a surprisingly entertaining affair.