Selby-Kambosos Jr. IBF Title Eliminator Bout Set For May
Boxing’s lightweight division has a number of challengers ready to receive title opportunities. Inside the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Lee Selby and George Kambosos Jr. will do battle to determine the contender fo the IBF Featherweight Championship.
The title is held by Teofimo Lopez, who is rumored to be facing Vasyl Lomachenko in the next few months.
“Joe Cordina will take another step up as he sets his sights on a World Title in the next 12 months and Belfast’s big-punching James Tennyson takes on Gavin Gwynne in a cracking fight,” Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn stated. ‘The Gentleman’ Chris Billam-Smith defends his Commonwealth Title against Cardiff’s’s Nathan Thorley, Super-Middleweight powerhouse John Docherty marches on and former Super-Middleweight champ Jamie cox returns to action alongside Sean McGoldrick. There’s plenty to be added to what will be a guaranteed sell-out in Cardiff – see you there!”
A former IBF Featherweight Champion, Selby (28-2) is on a two-fight win streak. “Lightning” last fought in October, beating Ricky Burns via majority decision. The 33-year-old held the featherweight belt in 2015 after beating Evgeny Gradovich. He defended it four times before losing the title to Josh Warrington via split decision in 2018.
Now, the man from Wales is looking to become a two-weight champion.
“It’s great to be boxing back at home in Cardiff after six years boxing all over the UK and US,” said Selby. “I’m one step away now from a shot at the IBF Lightweight World Title and 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’ve had some of my best performances against Australian boxers stopping both Corey McConnell and Joel Brunker in title fights and May 9th will be no different.”
An Australian and WBA Oceania Lightweight Champion, Kambosos Jr. (18-0) started his career in 2013. With 10 wins via KO, “Ferocious” has slowly climbed up the lightweight rankings. The 26-year-old won three fights in 2019, his last bout being a split decision win over Mickey Bey in December.
“I’m excited and I cannot wait to fight Lee Selby in this IBF World Title Eliminator on May 9th where the winner will become the Mandatory Challenger for the winner of Lomachenko vs. Lopez,” said Kambosos Jr.
“I’m excited for a fight of this magnitude and look forward to retiring Lee Selby in his hometown with a dominating and punishing performance in addition to gaining all of the UK supporters that will get behind me toward winning my World Title.”
Other bouts and fighters scheduled for the card include:
- James Tennyson (26-3) facing Gavin Gwynne (12-1) for the vacant British Lightweight Title
- Chris Billam-Smith (10-1) defending his Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title against Nathan Thorley (14-0)
- Joe Cordina (11-0)
- John Docherty (8-0)
- Sean McGoldrick (9-1)
- Jamie Cox (25-2)