GRADOVICH vs SELBY PREVIEW!
This Saturday night at London's o2 Arena Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport brings us the biggest night of the year for British boxing. Each day of the week I will preview a fight from that card which will be shown live on PPV in the UK. Today i will be looking at the IBF Featherweight World Title fight between Evgeny Gradovich and Lee Selby.
Gradovich, the Russian based in California, turned professional in 2010 in the USA where has fought much of his career. He quickly amassed a record of 15-0 and got the chance of a lifetime when he was given the oppertunity to fight IBF champion Billy Dibb of Australia. Dibb was 35-1 coming in to the fight and this fight was largely seen as a tick over fight for Dibb. Gradovich shocked the world however when he fought out of his skin to win a split decision and be crowned the IBF Featherweight champion of the world. He would prove this to be no fluke when he and Dibb rematched on the Manny Pacquiao - Brandon Rios card and he dropped his opponent on route to scoring a 9th round TKO. That fight was in China and he also defended his title in China successfuly before and after the rematch, winning both fights by clear decisions.
In his last fight in November last year Grodovich returned to the USA where he fought unbeaten contender Jayson Velez who was 22-0 coming in to the contest. Both fighters went the distance and split the judges to a draw. Gradovich held on to his title making his 4th defence since winning it March 2013. Gradovich is trained by former Super Featherweight champion and 2012 trainer of the year, Robert Garcia. Just this week he was awarded the IBF Fighter Of The Year Award. He is credited with having a Mexican style and like to walk his opponents down with tremendous pressure, leading many to nickname him the 'Mexican Russian'.
Lee Selby turned pro in 2008 without the support of one of the UK's top promoter's. He fought on small hall shows and won his first four fights before losing to Samir Moneimne in 2009. Many wrote Selby off after this loss saying he lacked power to match his lightning fast hands. Selby recovered though, winning his next three fights before fighting for the Welsh Area title against Dai Davies in 2010, winning it by 2nd round KO. He defeated James Ancliff for the Celtic Title, stopping his opponent in the 6th. This would be his 2nd KO of his career and they came in his last 3 fights, suggesting the man from Barry was developing power. This would be put to the test in 2011 when he was put in as the opponent for British & Commonwealth champion, Stephen Smith, who was making a defence of his title in his hometown of Liverpool. The fight would be the first time Selby gained television exposure and provided him with an oppertunity to show everyone just how good he was. He outclassed Smith with his classy style before unleashing one of the best knockouts you will see, landing a huge uppercut to leave Smith unconscious in the middle of the ring in front of his home fans.
He signed with Frank Warren following the win and defended his titles against John Simpson in York Hall, Bethnal Green. Taking Simpson out with a body shot in round 5. He fought again in Newport, Wales defending his Commonwealth title against Patrick Okine, who he took out in round 5. This was Selby's 5th KO from 6 fights, he was making a name for himself with his flash style, many dubbing him the 'Welsh Mayweather'. In March 2013 Selby signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport. Selby took a step up when he beat Viorel Simion (16-0) who was ranked #4 by the WBC. Selby won a unanimous decision. He took the unbeaten record of Ryan Walsh before having his homecoming in Cardiff, beating Rendall Munroe for the European title. He took him out in 6 rounds, even looking away from his opponent as he unloaded combinationson him in the corner for the stoppage. In his last fight he fought World ranked Australian, Joel Brunker. Brunker came to the ring with a record of 27-0 and was backed by many to go on and win a world title. He was easily defeated by Selby who was once again putting on display his lighting fast hands, superb defence and excellent movement. Selby took out Brunker in round 9.
The path that both fighters have come to get to this point have seen them overcome being the underdog to shock Boxing and announce themselves to the world. Gradovich is a proud fighter who fights on heart and will power. He comes forward in a similar style to Joel Brunker and can often lead with his face. However, he is a different animal to Brunker and will provide Selby with more problems than the Australian managed when he came here. I just feel his style will suit Selby down to the ground as he loves a fighter to walk on to him, throwing punches. This leaves gaps, and Selby is as accurate as any fighter in the division. He is fast to hit the target when he finds those oppenings. Physically he is a big, strong Featherweight and I really do see him winning the world title in impressive fashion. For me Wales will have its 12th world champion and Barry will have it's 1st. I see Selby winning clear on points and wouldn't be surprised to see a late KO.
