Lee Selby v Josh Warrington: Bad blood at Elland Road
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Preview and tips ahead of the big fight…
Lee Selby defends his IBF world featherweight title against Josh Warrington at Elland Road this Saturday night.
The Welshman goes into the lion’s den as Warrington gets to fight on home soil in front of a 20,000 sell-out crowd.
The Coral News Team profiles both fighters and gives their fight predictions…
Lee Selby
The Barry native has been a relatively big name on the British circuit for a while now. Selby has only lost once in a 26-fight career, way back in 2009 at the start of his fledgling career.
The 31-year-old has gone unbeaten since then and fought some top-level fighters along the way. He stopped former champion Evgeny Gradovich at O2 Arena back in 2015 and has retained his strap ever since.
Selby isn’t a big puncher but what he lacks in power, he makes up for with pure skill. He’s only stopped 33% of his opponents, but the win over the Russian Gradovich showcased his superior technical ability.
And it says much for his character and attitude that he thinks nothing of taking on an opponent in-front of 20,000 partisan fans.
Josh Warrington
In terms of persona, Warrington is the polar opposite to his opponent. While Selby is generally cool and collected, the Leeds lad is brash and outspoken.
Warrington has brokered bad blood between him and Selby over the last couple of years. And it’s ended in the 27-year-old bagging his shot at a world title.
If you thought Selby wasn’t a big puncher, then just take a look at the Yorkshire boxer’s KO percentage – just 23%.
Technically Warrington is decent, but a lot of his bouts have been on home soil and he’s yet to really step-up in class. Selby will most definitely be his highest profile fight to date.
Fight Prediction
Selby is hot favourite with Coral at 1/4. Warrington, despite home advantage, is heavy underdog at 11/4. The tie is available at 20/1.
At this point, there are a lot more questions to be asked of Warrington than Selby. The champion has been there and done it on numerous occasions, and fought in the US, too.
Although he talks a good game, Warrington has it all to do to prove he can cut it at this level. Selby is 8/13 to win by Decision, Technical Decision, or Disqualification.
It’s difficult to argue with the assertion that the fight will go that way. Both fighters rely on skill rather than power so it’d be a surprise to see a stoppage.
Selby’s demeanour should mean he won’t be fazed by the large crowd backing Warrington. Should the Welshman win, a fight with Carl Frampton could await him.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
