Former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby will have one eye on the history books when he takes on unbeaten Australian George Kambosos Jr. on the Oleksandr Usyk vs Dereck Chisora undercard at Wembley Arena on October 31.
With Selby-Kambosos a final eliminator for undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez’s IBF crown, the Barry stylist is one win away from a shot at Welsh boxing history and becoming the nation’s first ever two-weight champion (former super-middleweight king Joe Calzaghe was a ‘lineal’ champ at 175lbs).
The outspoken Kambosos has been talking a good fight, but Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) feels he is mixing in deeper waters.
“On social media he comes across quite outspoken and arrogant,” said Selby. “He’s saying he’s going to do this and do that. To look at him, he looks like a very good fighter. He’s got fast hands; he looks like he can punch. He can box a bit as well; he brings a lot of pressure. He’s young, hungry and ambitious.
“When we did an E-Press Conference earlier in the year he told me that every time he hit me in sparring, he rocked me to my boots. That in itself just gave me extra confidence, knowing that he’s making up tales about sparring.
“You don’t speak to anybody like that. It is disrespectful. To me it’s water off a duck’s back. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t know whether he’s trying to get me to fall into a trap, but that’s just not who I am. I’ve got very thick skin.
“If I come through this fight then I’ll be in another massive world title fight,” added Selby. “Teofimo Lopez is within touching distance and a dream is close to becoming a reality for me. It will be life-changing for me if I can get through this fight.
“I’ll become the first Welshman to become a two-weight world champion. All I have to do is win two fights. Two fights and I’ve written my name into the history books. It would not only be massive for Welsh boxing, but British boxing, too. You can’t put a price tag on that.
“On October 31, you’re going to see a Lee Selby win, by any means possible, whether the stoppage comes or it’s a 12-round decision – you’ll see a Lee Selby win. I’ve had time to grow into the weight. During lockdown I was doing a lot of strength and conditioning work and I feel like a fully-fledged lightweight now.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.