In a statement of intent, newly crowned IBF 126 lb champion Lee Selby has signed a deal with elusive “advisor” Al Haymon, following the lead of fellow Brits Amir Khan and James DeGale, as well as Northern Irishman Carl Frampton.
The talented Selby has recently expressed a desire to chase the big unification fights, and realises that the way to achieve that will be to go to the US, however signing with Haymon could ostensibly put a hold on any plans to face Ukranian amateur standout Vasyl Lomachenko, who is promoted by Bob Arums Top Rank and fights on HBO.
What is possible is a fight with talented WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jnr, himself beaten by Lomachenko last year, as he is also under the Haymon umbrella and hasn’t boxed since March when he won his belt against Jhonny Gonzalez, dropping the Mexican 3x en route to securing the 4th round stoppage.
Speaking about the signing, Selby said;
“I’m delighted to have signed with Al Haymon and I’m looking forward to boxing in some massive fights ahead. I’m also pleased to continue with Chris Sanigar, who’s been with me since the start of my pro-career. It’s exciting times ahead and I can’t wait for my first world title defense.”
How soon the Russell Jnr fight could be made is unclear, as Selby just came off beating Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich to take the title in May, and will surely be looking for an acclimatization bout for his US debut, similar to Carl Frampton – who suffered a scare on his against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr.
Selby had been hoping for an initial first defence of his title at home in Wales – whether that is still the plan is currently unclear, as an official announcement is set to follow regarding his next fight soon.
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