After achieving mandatory challenger status by defeating the Australian fighter, Joel Brunker, back in October 2014, there appeared to be some doubt as to where Lee Selby would get to take on the Russian champion, Evgeny Gradovich.
The early indications were that the 28-year old Welshman might have to travel to Russia for his golden opportunity. However, there were mutterings that the fight might happen in the UK and that has proven to be exactly the case.
It has been officially confirmed that Selby will take on the current IBF featherweight title holder at the O2 Arena in London on the 25th April.
The Russian will be making his fifth defence of the title but Selby remains convinced that he can take this opportunity and grab the belt, remarking to the media,
?I don?t think I?ll struggle at all, I think I?ll win convincingly.
?Similar to the last fight, I?ll probably outclass him with the boxing and then a late stoppage.
?He?s similar to all my last opponents, just a little, tiny bit better in class.
?Each fight I?ve had they?ve been about the same size and stature and the fight shave been getting a little bit tougher, and now he?s the next step up.
?He?s just a little step up from Brunker. He throws a little bit of a harder shot, a few more punches, a little bit more aggressive, more pressure ? but not a massive step up.?
Let?s hope that Selby hasn?t under-estimated Gradovich who has held the belt since beating Billy Dib back in March 2013.
Selby to take on Gradovich at the O2 Arena
