But the fight’s loser, 40-year-old Briton Matt Skelton, was unsure of what the future holds. He was convinced he could beat the odds and take home the title back home after bookmakers made him a 6-1 underdog.

"I have to be realistic," said Skelton, a former kickboxing world champion. "On another day I think I can make amends. Whether I get that chance is another question. I lost a unanimous decision."

Skelton’s chance disappeared in the later rounds, as his rawness was exploited by the two-time world amateur champion. The Briton didn’t step into the ring until age 35 and at first only to improve his punching for Muay Thai boxing.

"I really thought I could do it," said Skelton (21-2, 18 KOs). "I know he is strong, and beat Nikolai Valuev, who is a giant of a man, but I really thought I could."

The judges ruled it 117-110 and twice 117-111 for Chagaev.

Chagaev (23-0-1, 17 KOs) made his first defense of the belt he won in April from Valuev, the biggest and heaviest champion of all time at 2.13 meters (7-1). At 29, he is young for a top heavyweight, and can dream of unification fights.

A virus cost him one chance in October against WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov, forcing him to pull out.

"I haven’t boxed for a long time, so this was a good test," Chagaev said. "Who I fight next is a question for my manager. But it is my great wish to have all the four titles."

Skelton tried to tie up Chagaev, to disrupt the Uzbek’s planned tactics of tagging him with combinations from outside with his superior boxing skills. He tried to use his 11 kilograms (24 pounds) weight advantage and trade uppercuts from in close.

That led to him being docked a point in the eighth round for excessive holding and scattered jeers from the 4,500 spectators. In the first couple of rounds, Skelton also landed punches and gave Chagaev trouble.

But the Uzbek, who throws punches in flurries, began to find the range by the middle rounds.

"I can adjust to a fighter’s style," Chagaev said.

Chagaev has a difficult period behind him, including his mother’s death in 2006 from a heart operation. He paid the cost out of his purses and said he now wants to earn enough for a house and garden.

Skelton is unlikely to go home as well paid as Chagaev, saying he was "hard done" by the financial terms of the fight.

But at least some good rounds made up for a July fight at home against Michael Sprott, which earned him the title shot. He was jeered for that lackluster bout.

"I don’t care about looking nice, I would rather have the win," Skelton said. "I’ve achieved a lot. I was lucky to an opportunity to fight for a a world title."

Now the said he will sit down with his team and family and discuss the future.

"I’d like to carry on," he said.