Monday 3 August 2015 15:36, UK
World champion Lee Selby does not believe Josh Warrington has the requisite class to succeed at the top of the featherweight division.
Selby seized the IBF title in May from Evgeny Gradovich, out-boxing the champion until a cut eye forced the referee to stop the fight in the eighth round and go to the scorecards which were overwhelmingly in the Welshman's favour.
In his preceding bout, the 28-year-old Barry fighter dispatched Australia's Joel Brunker - who Warrington takes on live on Sky Sports on September 5 - inside nine rounds.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already hinted at the possibility of the unbeaten Warrington moving on to challenge for Selby's crown at Elland Road in 2016 - but the champion doubts Warrington has the class to cut it at the top of the sport and is backing Brunker to halt his rise.
Selby (21-1-KO8) said: "I can see Brunker upsetting the apple cart. The way I boxed him, with the movement, I didn't let him look as good as he is.
"If you look at Brunker's previous fights when his opponents stand in front of him - as I think Josh Warrington will - he's a great fighter. I think he's capable of an upset. He's a very good fighter and I didn't let him box to his best.
When Warrington comes up against proper world class fighters, he'll get beat. He hasn't got the power, skill or boxing ability to keep a world class fighter off him.
"When Warrington comes up against proper world-class fighters, he'll get beat. He hasn't got the power, skill or boxing ability to keep a world -class fighter off him."
On his own future, Selby said: "I'm not going to be one of the champions who picks out the opponents. I'm willing to fight the best. You won't see me dodging anyone. I'm going to be a true champion and defend against whoever steps up.
"The plan is to defend back home in Wales. I've built a good fanbase there and it'd be nice to give something back to the crowd because they've been travelling around to support me. If I can fight at home, that'd be brilliant.
"The way I'd like to see my career go is to squeeze in two voluntary defences before my mandatory defence is ordered, which I think is going to be in March."
Looking further ahead to potential unification bouts, Selby said: "Obviously you've got the likes of Gary Russell Jr, who is the WBC champion. I'd like to hold that title. Then you've got Vasyl Lomachenko, who is one of the biggest pound-for-pound stars of this era so I'd like to face those two and see how I get on.
"I'd probably like to face Lomachenko ideally because he's got the higher profile. They'd both be tough but I'd get more credit if I beat Lomachenko.
"My record is deceiving. I was told throughout my early fights to get the rounds in and learn on the job. I wasn't sent out to knock them out. Then you look at my title fights and fighters that I wasn't even supposed to beat, I've knocked out, so I can punch."
