Lee Selby is mentally weak, says mandatory challenger Eric Hunter
Tuesday 19 January 2016 16:13, UK
Mandatory challenger Eric Hunter has branded IBF world featherweight champion Lee Selby "a spoiled kid" as he closes in on a showdown with the Welshman.
America's Hunter (21-3-KO11) insisted he is not a dirty fighter despite two of his three career defeats coming by way of disqualification and is confident of proving himself by dethroning Selby (22-1-KO8).
Hunter, 29, told World Boxing News: "I've never really heard of him [Selby] and I don't disrespect champions, but from what I have seen he looks like a spoiled kid.
I've had a hard career and a hard upbringing in Philly. The streets saved me when I was young. I really have earned my spot as IBF number one.
"He didn't look good in his last fight and [Evgeny] Gradovich hasn't been the same since he beat Billy Dib. Selby struggled against [Fernando] Montiel who is really only a 118 pound fighter.
"If I have to come to Wales and knock Selby out I will. I can outpoint him or knock him out.
"I saw Selby saying he wanted to fight at home to get the advantage. Why is he saying that? That isn't the mentality of a champion! True champions don't care where they fight!
"I have lost two fights by DQ. In the first one I made a mistake, it happens. In the second one the guy faked it as much as he could, he knew he'd been knocked out and looked to take the easy way out. Everyone who has seen me fight knows I am not a dirty fighter.
"I've had a hard career and a hard upbringing in Philly [Philadelphia]. The streets saved me when I was young. I really have earned my spot as IBF No 1. I deserve everything I get out of boxing."
Since being disqualified against Mike Oliver in September 2013, Hunter has outpointed Yenifel Vicente (28-3-2-KO20) and Rene Alvarado (23-6-KO16) and stopped Daniel Ramirez (11-3-KO5) and Antonio Escalante (29-8-KO20).
Selby won the belt in style in May when he halted Gradovich and in his maiden defence, comfortably outpointed Montiel on his US debut in October.
