Lee Selby says Josh Warrington needs to impress to earn world title challenge
Thursday 14 April 2016 16:56, UK
World champion Lee Selby is happy to give Josh Warrington a shot at his world title, but says he will prove he is a level above his British rival.
The IBF world featherweight champion will be part of the Sky Sports team as Warrington takes on Hisashi Amagasa, live on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday night.
Warrington says there will be an all-British battle after he beats Amagasa and, after making his second world title defence at The O2 on the Anthony Joshua undercard, Selby is so confident of victory that he is ready to travel to Leeds to put his title on the line against the 25-year-old.
"I only boxed twice last year and once so far this year, so I want to make up some lost time," Selby told Sky Sports.
"But Warrington needs to know, the busier I am, the better I am. I've seen him somewhere saying my last two fights haven't been too clever but what you've got to realise is one was against an elite fighter, a three-weight world champion in Fernando Montiel and the second one was the IBF No 1 ranked in the world, who was very good.
"They were both very, very good but I won them both comfortably.
When you want to earn a world-title shot, a win isn't enough. But one thing I will say is that fighting Warrington will be a lot easier than it was against Hunter.
"Maybe me and Warrington can get it on summer. He's been talking about it but we'll see how he deals with it when he gets in the ring with me first-hand, because after the fight he'll have a different mindset.
"He will see how good I really am. I'll go up to Leeds, Elland Road, anywhere, wherever the best numbers are. I'll leave it to my management team to sort it all."
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Selby also warned Warrington that even a win against Amagasa might not be enough to earn a world title challenge.
The IBF holder has already laughed off Eric Hunter's rematch claims, after the American lodged a complaint following a unanimous points loss on Saturday.
Warrington is defending his WBC International featherweight title against the experienced Japanese Amagsa, but is ranked in the IBF's top 10.
However, Selby has suggested a voluntary defence could take place, providing the Leeds man impresses on Saturday night.
"He has to earn his right first and that means he has to put on a performance," Selby added.
"When you want to earn a world-title shot, a win isn't enough. But one thing I will say is that fighting Warrington will be a lot easier than it was against Hunter.
"We're talking different levels, when it comes to Warrington. The majority of fighters don't understand the levels until they get in the ring against someone who is a level above and then class shows.
"He'll find out shots that used to land just won't hit me. I get in and out of range quicker, punch a little harder and sharper than anyone else he's fought. He will be on the receiving end.
"I will prove I am a class above and I don't care where it is. If he wants it, I have no problem with that at all. But the one thing he needs to do first is put on a performance against Amagasa."
