Lee Selby defends world title against Eric Hunter live on Sky Sports Box Office
Wednesday 16 March 2016 15:41, UK
Lee Selby will defend his world title on the undercard of Charles Martin v Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9.
The IBF world featherweight champion takes on mandatory challenger Eric Hunter at the O2 Arena, London.
Selby (22-1-KO8) will be making his second title defence since winning the strap on Sky Sports Box Office last May, when he outclassed holder Evgeny Gradovich in eight rounds at the same venue.
He then beat Fernando Montiel in Arizona, USA, but is back in the UK to take on American Hunter (21-3-KO11), also known as 'The Outlaw'.
Hunter looks decent and it will be a good fight, but I am more than ready for this one
"I can't wait," Selby told Sky Sports. "I've always wanted to box on April 9 and I've been working towards that and my head has been on it, but now it's confirmed, it's great news.
"Hunter looks decent and it will be a good fight, but I am more than ready for this one.
"It's always nice to fight in front of your home fans so it will be great to have my second defence in front of my own people.
"Last time I went away to America, so it was hard for them to watch. It was on in the early hours of the morning but this time they will get to see me and that is important.
"I will be at my best."
Hunter is from the famous fighting city of Philadelphia and has worked his way up the IBF featherweight rankings.
But Selby knows he could be in for a difficult night against the challenger, with 'The Outlaw' losing his last two fights by disqualification, hitting on the break against Mike Oliver (September 2013) and for repeated low blows against Luis Franco (December 2010).
"This is a great fight," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "I think it's the toughest of Lee's career and I'm delighted to add it to this huge night of boxing.
"Lee has boxed at The O2 on a number of occasions and who can forget his defining moment against Gradovich to win the title there just under a year ago.
"I think the atmosphere and occasion will see him shine on this bumper night for British boxing."
Selby's clash with Hunter is part of a busy night at the sold-out London venue as Joshua challenges Martin for the IBF world heavyweight title, while there's a key middleweight battle between former world title challengers Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose, with more fights still to be confirmed.
