LEE SELBY, the โWelsh Mayweatherโ, is looking forward to returning to the O2 on Saturday. Heโs putting his IBF featherweight title on the line against American challenger Eric Hunter. The London venue brings back happy memories. โI won the Lonsdale belt outright there, I won an eliminator for a world title there and I won the title there,โ Selby says. โItโs massive, as soon as you hear the crowd roaring, your ring tune come on, it gives me a feeling like no other. I canโt describe it.โ
He has a high opinion of Hunter. โI think heโs a good fighter. Iโve seen enough of him, heโs awkward, a switch-hitter, can punch a bit. From Philadelphia, boxes out of the Philly shell. Heโs a good fighter,โ Lee said. โItโs going to be hard, like every fight at this level. Heโs the mandatory challenger… Iโve been watching Rocky so Iโve got plenty of respect [for Philadelphia fighters].โ
He details how heโs prepared for Hunterโs switch-hitting. โIโve been up to the Ingles gym, theyโre renowned for their switch-hitting. Iโve been sparring my younger brother [Andrew], no one switch-hits better than him. Weโre training together like when we were kids,โ Lee said of Andrew. โI canโt teach him anything about boxing, heโs a genius. I donโt think anybody can teach him anything. All I can try to engrain into him is the work ethic.โ
Selby wants to be active this year and victory could tee him up for a unification fight with the winner of Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz. โThereโs a lot of big names at the weight division, they can be made,โ Lee reflects. But he needs to win on Saturday.
Don’t miss the big preview in this week’s issue of Boxing News