12 Jun 2019
Selby and Warrington fight for the chance of a lifetime, whilst Nicola Adams continues her professional career in front of home support
In what is widely regarded as boxing’s most competitive division, Lee Selby and Josh Warrington fight for the IBF featherweight title on Saturday. Selby is defending his title for the 5th time and will see a victory as an opportunity to challenge the divisions best, potentially in boxing’s mecca – Vegas.
Lee Selby and Josh Warrington have always seemed destined to enter the ring opposite each other, as their respective careers have taken eerily similar paths. Neither men were amateur stand outs, instead molding their skills in the lower echelons of the pro ranks. With only one loss between the men in 53 fights – a decision loss for Selby in his 5th fight in 2009 – both men stormed up the rankings collecting first area titles, then national and continental straps.
‘The Welsh Mayweather’ – Selby, 31 – is undoubtedly more experienced at the top level in the division as Saturday represents his 6th world title fight, all of which have been comfortable victories. Although this is 27-year-old Warrington’s first world title fight he boasts a hard-fought victory over former World Title holder Kiko Martinez, a stalwart in the division over the past decade. Thus, the occasion should not be too much for the Leeds fighter.
With so many top-level fighters in the division – Santa Cruz, Frampton, Russel Jr. to name but a few – Saturday represents the opportunity of a lifetime for both fighters. A victory for either man opens up the potential of a unification bout later in the year. Many of those opponents will undoubtedly want to have the fight in the US, meanwhile an August date against Frampton in Belfast would certainly see a bumper payday for the victor.
On the undercard, two-time Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams will look to continue her undefeated pro career in her fourth fight. Saturday’s opponent, del Valle Frias, represents a step up in class for Adams, who is looking to challenge for a world title in her next fight assuming she gets the win at Elland Road on Saturday.
Both Warrington and Adams will enjoy enormous support within the stadium on Saturday as they are both local fighters. Could that make the difference for them both on Saturday? The Elland Road faithful will certainly hope so.
A 12-round boxing battle
It is not a secret that neither Lee Selby or Josh Warrington are knockout artists. Selby has nine stoppages in 26 wins, whilst Warrington has just six in his 26 professional victories. Both men rely on superior movement and technical class to stifle opponents and often take home comfortable decision victories. With styles so similar it will simply be a pure test of boxing skill on Saturday and it is more than likely to go the 12-round distance.
Irish two weight World Champion Frampton will be ringside on Saturday with a close eye on proceedings with a potential bout with the winner on the horizon. The Jekyll has predicted a Selby win by decision and at 2/7, it would certainly be worth taking a punt on the more experienced fighter.
Although a definite underdog, Warrington will hope the home support from a raucous Elland Road crowd will spur him onto a career performance. Although this may not be enough to pull out the win against Selby, betting on a draw at 20/1 represents an intriguing prospect for two fighters who have often gone the distance.
Nicola Adams’ family set to go home happy
The Lioness will be back fighting in Leeds for her fourth professional bout after her last fight took place in Quebec, Canada. Adams’ opponent on Saturday has twice challenged for a world title and Saturday represents another step on her Journey to becoming a World Champion.
The fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds, which will represent a significant cardio test for Adams, if it does go the distance, as the longest one of her bouts has lasted is four rounds. However, with two knockouts in her last two fights and Adams keen to quickly progress her career, it seems unlikely to last that long. An Adams’ victory at 1/100 seems like an option if looking for an almost certain return. She will be keen not to let her home crowd down and hopefully whip them into a frenzy before the main event!
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