Former featherweight champion Lee Selby is going home and back to the roots of his first title pursuit.
This time he’s two weight classes heavier and six years older. He has more experience and a few more scars. But home and ambition haven’t changed a whole lot.
“It’s great to be boxing back at home in Cardiff after six years boxing all over the U.K. and U.S.,” the 33-year-old Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) said. “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.’’
The homecoming and renewed title pursuit are set for May 9 on DAZN against 26-year-old Australian George Kambosos at Motorpoint Arena in a lightweight eliminator announced this week by Matchroom Boxing.
The winner moves into position for a mandatory shot at the belt held by Teofimo Lopez, who this spring is expected to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko, No. 1 in Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound poll.
The bout, Selby’s first in Wales in six years, will be his third since he moved up the scale to 135 pounds after losing his featherweight title to Josh Warrington by a split decision in May 2018.
Kambosos (18-0, 10 KOs), Manny Pacquiao’s sparring partner a year ago, is coming off a notable victory, a split decision over former lightweight champion Mickey Bey on Dec. 14 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Said Kambosos: “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 U.K. supporters that will get behind me toward winning my world title.”