Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Michael Sprott, who was the last man to fight the pair, claims Skelton can expect a raw deal from the judges if Saturday’s WBA title clash in Dusseldorf goes to the scorecards.

Sprott, who famously ended Audley Harrison’s world title dream, knows from bitter experience that judges in Germany always favour the home fighter.

"In Germany, you’re paid to lose," said Sprott. "People joke that you have to knock the other guy out just to get a draw.

"That’s the way it is in Germany and I’ve been on the end of a couple of bad decisions. When I fought Timo Hoffmann in a rematch over there, I clearly won the fight, but the judges gave it to Hoffmann. Even the German fans booed the decision, it was that bad.

"That’s what Matt’s going to have to deal with and I think he’s going to have to stop Chagaev to win the title." Sprott, speaking from Berlin, where he is sparring with Alexander Povetkin, does not rate Skelton’s chances. Southpaw Chagaev has never been beaten, let alone stopped.

Sprott, 32, witnessed the Uzbek’s strength at first hand when he lost in eight rounds to him in 2006 and couldn’t believe the way he shrugged off his best shots.

"I’m saying Matt has to stop Chagaev to win and although I’ll be rooting for him, I don’t think he can do it," he said. "I think Chagaev will win on points.

"Chagaev is just so strong. I don’t know if there is anyone who could stop him. The big Russian, Nikolay Valuev, couldn’t stop him and John Ruiz couldn’t stop him either.

"When I fought him, I hit him flush with an uppercut with all my weight and he didn’t even budge. His gumshield flew out, but he just walked back to his corner like normal."

Sprott, who lost a dreary points decision to Skelton in July, also claims the Bedford fighter’s brawling style will not go down well with the referee or judges.

"Matt’s very good at tangling you up," said the Reading fighter. "He also uses his head, elbows or anything else that he thinks will help him win. In Germany, he won’t be able to get away with any of that. The referee will clamp down."