Monday 13 October 2014 19:41, UK
Lee Selby believes Evgeny Gradovich is the ‘perfect’ opponent for him after he earned a shot at the IBF world featherweight champion.
The Welshman produced one of the best performances of his career at the weekend, halting Joel Brunker in the ninth round at London’s 02 Arena.
I've come from nothing in life and in boxing and now I am on the cusp of being a world champion.
Victory in this IBF title eliminator should earn Selby a shot at the winner when Gradovich defends his belt against Jayson Velez on November 29.
The Barry man will be watching with interest and is confident he could dethrone the Russian champion in dominant fashion if they meet next year.
“Gradovich is perfect for my style and I think I would do a similar job on him,” said Selby.
“He’s fighting at the end of November and I think he'll come through in that fight so we can get it on early next year, I think I am entitled to a little break because I have been non-stop in the gym for four years, you can count the days off I have had on your hands.
“I've come from nothing in life and in boxing and now I am on the cusp of being a world champion.
“My feet are still on the ground and I am very focused, it's not until I hang them up that I'll look back and be proud of them, but I have a lot more left to achieve, I haven't even started yet.”
Brunker had occupied a higher spot in the IBF rankings, but Selby dished out his first professional defeat with a masterful display.
He picked apart the Australian’s defences with some dazzling combinations, prompting plenty of praise afterwards, but Selby insists he can still go up another gear.
“It was a good performance but there is a lot more to come,” said Selby. “I wanted to make a statement and silence the critics, I hardly lose a round in my fights, I can't remember the last time that I lost one, but I still get criticised, so I thought I would put on a show.
“Joel is a tough customer, he took some really hard shots and it shows how much I have progressed because it was a lot closer when we sparred a few years ago.
“Going into a fight as a favourite then I know I am going to win, but going into a tough fight like Saturday where it was 50-50 or if I am an underdog, you get a real performance from me.”
