The chief support bout at the SSE Wembley Arena last night saw Lee Selby make a third defence of his IBF world featherweight title.
The fight came just days after the sad and sudden death of his mother Frankie.
Selby was matched against the Argentine fighter Jonathan Victor Barros, the opponent he should have fought on the under-card of the Frampton v Santa Cruz re-match, in Las Vegas, a fight that was cancelled when Barros couldn?t meet the medical standards set by the Nevada State Commission.
Against Barros, Selby put on an almost perfect performance taking the verdict on an unanimous points decision, with the judges scoring the bout as follows:
? 117 ? 110
? 119 ? 108
and
? 117 ? 110
Selby was by far the superior fighter and a stoppage looked on the cards in the 12th round when Barros was on the canvas, however, the Argentine recovered to hear the final bell.
Earlier in the fight, Selby had been cut above the right eye but his corner men did well to ensure that the cut did not endanger their fighters? chances of retaining his title.
After the fight, Selby dedicated the win to hi slate mother, remarking,
‘I got the win, and I dedicate it to my mother.’
And on deciding to continue with the fight as opposed to withdrawing under such tragic circumstances, Selby further added,
?I told my team not to mention anything, turned my phone off, there were emotions going through me before the fight.
‘If I told anyone I would have been strapped up in a straitjacket. I got the win, and I dedicate it to my mother.?
And on any thoughts of withdrawing, he commented,
‘No. I’m a fighter and whatever happens I’ll still fight.’
And as for the cut sustained above his right eye, Selby further added,
‘Nothing in the ring fazes me. It’s a fight. You’re supposed to get cut, and I’ve got the best cuts man in the business, Chris Sanigar.’
As for his next fight, the name of Carl Frampton continues to be mentioned, with Selby further remarking,
‘He probably fancies it now, it’s a fight I’d love, and all the British fans will love.?
Bring it on we say, it?s a fight the British public want to see.
Selby Beats Barros on Points
