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Road To Lee Selby v George Kambosos Jr
Lee Selby and George Kambosos Jr were scheduled to get in the ring on May 9, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. Talks have been ongoing ever since, and despite talks breaking down on a number of occasions it has now been confirmed the fight will take place on October 31.
It is believed the talks broke down after Selby’s promoter Eddie Hearn wanted to cut Kambosos Jr’s purse by 33%. It seems everything has been settled now and the two will battle it out in this IBF lightweight title eliminator.
Selby has only tasted defeat twice in his professional career, the first one was against Samir Mouneimne in his fifth fight. He then went unbeaten for 22 fights and became the IBF featherweight champion after defeating Evgeny Gradovich in 2015. He made five title defences before losing the belt to Josh Warrington in a split decision in May 2018 in one of the most explosive fights ever.
He has since moved to lightweight and has won his last two fights against Omar Douglas and Ricky Burns. Australian Kambosos Jr is unbeaten after 18 fights, his last bout was a split decision victory over Mickey Bey in New York last December. Kambosos Jr is a dangerous fighter, but he hasn’t been in the ring with someone like Selby. It should be an intriguing contest.
It has since been revealed that the winner of Selby v Kambosos Jr will get an immediate title shot. He will go on to take on IBF champion Teofimo Lopez after the American added the WBA and WBO belts to his IBF title thanks to a unanimous points decision over Ukraine’s Vasily Lomachenko.
Lee Selby v George Kambosos Jr Predictions & Tips
Lee Selby can never really be considered a knockout merchant, he is one talented fighter but he has only won nine of his 28 victories by way of knockout. The other 19 wins have been decided by the judges.
Kambosos Jr has gone the distance eight times from his 18 fights, I’m not sure either man is capable of knocking the other one out. This will be a war, but Selby’s experience will stand him in good stead, and I can see him winning this one with a unanimous points decision.
The winner of this bout will become mandatory challenger for the IBF title which is currently around the waist of Teofimo Lopez, only time will tell to see if Lopez puts any more of his belts on the line or not.
Lee Selby v George Kambosos Jr Tips: Fighter Predictions
Lee Selby: “I’m one step away now from a shot at the IBF lightweight world title. My dream of becoming Wales’ first-ever two-weight world champion. Kambosos Jr is a hungry young fighter that I know will bring it all. But I have had some of my best performances against Australian boxers, stopping both Corey McConnell and Joel Brunker in title fights. This will be no different.”
George Kambosos Jr: “I’m excited. I cannot wait to fight Lee Selby in this IBF world title eliminator where the winner will become mandatory challenger for the winner of Lomachenko versus Lopez. I defeated former world champion Mickey Bey in his backyard at Maddison Square Garden in December. I’m ready to beat another former world champion in his backyard. I’m excited for a fight of this magnitude and look forward to retiring Lee Selby with a dominating and punishing performance.”
