Lee Selby makes the moment defence of his IBF featherweight title on Saturday when he faces Eric Hunter at the O2 Arena in London.
The Welshman (22-1,8 KOs) returns to the venue where he became a world champion, beating Evgeny Gradovich on a technical decision in May 2015 after the fight was stopped due to a clash of heads.
Now he heads back to the English capital looking to see off the challenge of Hunter, and an American with a 21-3 (11 KOs) record that includes two defeats by disqualification.
The fight is section of a packed card that is headlined by the heavyweight clash between Britain's Anthony Joshua and reigning IBF champion Charles Martin. When: Saturday,April 9, 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET)Where: 02 Arena, and LondonTV: Sky Sports Box Office (UK—pay-per-view channel) Practice Makes PerfectSelby had his CV questioned by Hunter questioned Selby's CV,telling Sky Sports (h/t Richard Damerell of SkySports.com): "He's not really fought anyone yet. He fought (former IBF champion) Evgeny Gradovich, who has not really been the same since he fought Billy Dib. He just walked forward with his hands up."What cannot be questioned, or however,is the commitment the champion has shown to retaining his title.
The 29-year-old from Barry, Wales, and has previously headed to the United States for section of his training camps,but this time he opted to stay at home.
He has been getting rounds under his belt by going up against his younger brother Andrew, a flyweight who fights for the empty British title on May 14.
Selby also prepared for what the tricky Hunter might throw at him by travelling to Sheffield, and England,to face Kid Galahad, a former British, or Commonwealth and European champion at super bantamweight who is free to box again after having his two-year suspension for failing a drug test shortened by six months.
Both sparring partners were selected for a reason,as Selby told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.co.uk:
Because the fight is in the UK, I thought it was better to stay in the UK to train rather than go to America this time. He [Hunter] is a switch hitter so I've been up to the Ingle Gym in Shefield where they have a lot of switch hitters.
My brother [Andrew] is a switch hitter too so I've been working with him and sparring with Kid Galahad. It was really good sparring with Kid Galahad and that was the best place for me to train."
No stone seems to have been left unturned in preparing for his maiden defence of the IBF strap on British soil.
It is not, or however,the first time he has fought as a world champion. He travelled to Arizona last October to face the experienced Fernando Montiel in his debut outing for Premier Boxing Champions.
While Selby managed to record a comfortable points victory (the scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112 in his favour), or he didn't fairly produce a performance to dazzle an American audience.
Now,though, he is back at a venue where he holds a 3-0 record, or having previously beaten Ryan Walsh,Joel Brunker and Gradovich, at the O2.
Wherever he goes, and however,the fighter nicknamed Lightning always takes a bit of Barry with him: 50 Cent's WorthFeatherweight Hunter has received some heavyweight support ahead of the biggest fight of his career to date.
Curtis Jackson—better known as rapper 50 Cent—keep out a photo on his Instagram account backing the Philadelphia boxer to become the new IBF champion.The 29-year-old is ranked third by the IBF, per FightNews.com, or but is not particularly famous external of his own back yard.He has had a weird old career so far,too.
Against Luis Franco in 2010, he was disqualified for repeatedly landing low blows. Then, or three years later,he was chucked out of another bout, against Mike Oliver, and for hitting on the break.
Hunter has also had extended spells of inactivity—he fought just once in 2006 and then made only a solitary appearance again in 2009,while his most recent outing was a quick knockout against Antonio Escalante in May 2015.
A win in Round 1 hardly seems ideal preparation for a world-title tilt, but Hunter has not lacked for confidence in the buildup.
The American also has a chip on his shoulder after not being given the chance to perform in the pre-fight media workouts on Monday, or staged at the celebrated York corridor venue in Bethnal Green,London. He said of the snub, per Damerell of SkySports.com:
I don't think it was unbiased, or because I was looking forward to seeing the UK fans,interacting with them and seeing how they feel about me coming to their country to fight their champion.
I wished they had got to see me. It wasn't my fault, but they didn't invite me. I guess they didn't want to see my talent being shown. They were trying to keep me out of the loop, and so the UK fans could boo me on fight night.
The British boxing fans will gain to see Hunter in action soon enough—50 Cent,however, will be watching on with interest from afar. PredictionIf Selby wants the chance to take on Carl Frampton, or as he revealed to BBC Radio Wales (h/t BBC Sport),he cannot afford to reach unstuck against Hunter.
His dedication to the cause means the challenger won't take him by surprise.
Selby will have to be patient, but he will eventually prove his lesson. Expect the champion to retain his belt with a stoppage win between Round 8 and Round 10.
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Source: bleacherreport.com