Britain’s IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby (21-1, 8ko) has once again affirmed that he is hoping to ultimately secure the big fights in the division, and after his recent “statement of intent” signing with hugely influential advisor Al Haymon, the unassuming Welshman is heading out to be ringside at Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions fight between potential divisional rivals Leo Santa and Abner Mares, keeping one eye of course, on the winner.
Selby, who relieved IBF fighter of the year Evgeny Gradovich of his title in London back in May, has long been talked about as a future international star on British shores, and following the lead of other British/Irish fighters Amir Khan, Carl Frampton and James DeGale, his signing with Haymon shows just how serious he is about that aim, with a potential fight with Saturday’s winner a realistic future possibility.
“I want to become a worldwide star. It’s a dream for any boxer to crack America, and I’m no different,” Selby said to ‘boxingnewsonline.net’
“There are some massive names in the featherweight division at the moment. Now that I’ve signed a deal with Haymon, I can box on his Premier Boxing Champions shows against the top names…..
“If I beat one of those top names on that platform I can become a star literally overnight.”
A fight with WBC champion Gary Russell Jr – another Haymon client – would surely be a logical unification step once Selby has a couple of defences under his belt, although the Welshman sees the Top Rank promoted WBO champion Vasyl Lomachenko as the division’s top dog and number #1, in part thanks to his win over Russell Jr.
“I want to make a few defences of my title in order to build up my name in America, then I want unification fights. Lomachenko has a win over Russell Jr, so he’s obviously the better boy in the division.”
Selby is unfazed by any of the other divisional champions, or those without a 126 lb strap currently, like Mexican’s Mares and Leo Santa Cruz – who himself does still hold the WBC 122lb title, although he is expected to vacate.
“I fancy my chances against any of them,” Selby continued. “If I perform to the best of my ability I’d beat them all. I’m going to LA for the Santa Cruz/Mares fight too, (so) I think I’ll end up fighting the winner of that at some point.”
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