Thursday 28 May 2015 08:39, UK
Lee Selby will step into the ring this Saturday night intent on etching his name into Welsh boxing history - but he faces one hell of a battle to do just that.
The 28-year-old takes on undefeated Russian Evgeny Gradovich for his IBF featherweight title, live on Sky Sports Box Office, aiming to become first Welsh world champion at the weight since Steve Robinson nearly 10 years ago.
Ahead of the eagerly-awaited bout at the O2 Arena in London, The Panel have their say on whether the boy from Barry will claim world title glory.
Gradovich is a good fighter. All of the opponents this Saturday night are very good, but British boxing is on such a high, there's not that fear any more.
I love a tear-up as much as the next man, but its brilliant when you see someone with real craft and Selby is like that.
Selby is a brilliant talent that we haven't even seen the best of yet. I love a tear-up as much as the next man, but it's brilliant when you see someone with real craft and Selby is like that. He's an excellent boxer with talent to spare. For me, Selby wins this on points.
I fancy Selby in this one. I would say the best chance at the moment of him winning a world title would be against Gradovich. I don’t think we have ever seen the best of Lee Selby yet. I always feel that up to now, Selby has done just enough to win. But I think he’s got it all, he’s clever, he can punch, he can box, he can do a bit of everything. He’s probably got more to his game than Gradovich.
I always feel that up to now, Selby has done just enough to win. But I think he’s got it all, he’s clever, he can punch, he can box, he can do a bit of everything.
Gradovich is a good fighter, but he’s pretty predictable in what he’s going to do, he’s going to come forward. That will suit Selby and I think he can pick up a clear points win.
I really fancy Selby to do the job here. He is a good kid, extremely talented and is improving all the time. Whether you like his attitude or not, think he is cocky, flash or arrogant, he is backing it up in the ring. I can't see past a Selby victory and I think he will get a late stoppage.
Selby is a class act. He's got all the tricks, he's very flamboyant and quite a showman but he can box. And box very well. He's got great reflexes, classic counter-punching and he is exciting to watch but now we will find out if he has got what it take to win a world title.
Selby's got all the tricks, he's very flamboyant and quite a showman but he can box. And box very wel
Gradovich looks tough and he has had a few defences of that IBF title, so you know he is going to be tough but I just think we will see the best Lee Selby we've seen so far. Points all the way.
Selby is an underrated and outstanding boxing technician. He will win this on a tight points decision. Let's be truthful, when you talk about the likes of Floyd Mayweather, he's not the most exciting of fighters but he is effective. It's the same with Selby.
Mayweather does just enough to win and that's what Selby does. Hit and not be hit.
Some people class it as boring, but it's effective and he gets the job done. Mayweather does exactly the same thing and he's seen as a God, so why is it different when Selby's doing it? Mayweather does just enough to win and that's what Selby does. Hit and not be hit.
Selby has a really awkward style and if he goes away from using his best attributes at this stage - especially boxing for a world title - then he'd be silly.
I see it being nip and tuck early on with Gradovich trying to put it on him and set the pace, but as the fight wears on I see Selby getting on top
He'll let Gradovich walk on to his shots. I see it being nip and tuck early on with Gradovich trying to put it on him and set the pace, but as the fight wears on I see Selby getting on top. I believe Selby will win on points.
Watch Selby v Gradovich live and exclusive as part of Brook v Gavin, on Sky Sports Box Office on May 30, with Joshua and Mitchell also on. Book via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote. skysports.com/brookgavin
