Lee Selby to defend featherweight world title against Josh Warrington

Lee Selby will defend his IBF featherweight title against Josh Warrington on May 19, with the fight taking place in Warrington's home city of Leeds.

The pair have been calling out one another for some time with Selby accusing the Yorkshireman of "bottling" an opportunity to face him in 2016, but they will now come face to face, although a venue is yet to be confirmed with Leeds United's Elland Road a potential setting.

Defending champion Selby (26-1, 9KO) claimed the IBF featherweight crown against Evgeny Gradovich at London's O2 Arena in May 2015 and has subsequently made four successful defences of the title, the most recent being against Eduardo Ramirez at the Copper Box Arena in December.

The Welshman said: "Let's see what Josh is made of. He's done everything that has been asked of him so far. He's picked up my vacated titles and beat a lot of my past opponents.

"To his credit, he's earned his position as my Mandatory Challenger and deserves his shot.

"If Josh comes steaming out like he has done in the past that will just play into my hands as I'll pick him off like I have done with numerous past opponents. If he opts to box on the back foot I definitely can't see him out-boxing me. In fact, there's no way I can see him beating me."

Warrington, who can become Leeds' first world champion, is unbeaten (26-0, 6 KO's) and defeated Dennis Ceylan in a Final Eliminator clash at Leeds' First Direct Arena back in October to secure this fight.

"For the past three or four years our names have always been mentioned together. He's always been that one step ahead of me and everyone has always looked at him as the No 1 Featherweight in the UK, but that will change on May 19," said the 27-year-old.

"It's going to be an entertaining fight for the fans but there's only going to be one winner and that's me. He's not a perfect fighter or a polished fighter, he's got a lot of weak points and I'm going to exploit them.

"The city of Leeds has been craving a World Champion for years and on May 19 I'm going to make history. I'm going to give absolutely everything to achieve my dream - I'm grabbing this opportunity with both hands."

A venue will be announced at a press conference in Leeds next week.