Jacobs vs Arias: Cletus Seldin happy to face Terence Crawford
Thursday 9 November 2017 19:17, UK
Cletus Seldin admits he will happily take on super-lightweight supremo Terence Crawford if he beats Roberto Ortiz this weekend.
The unbeaten Brooklynite believes victory will at least make him the No 1 challenger for the IBF world title, picked up by Sergey Lipinets in New York last weekend.
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Crawford gave up the belt 11 days after becoming the undisputed 140lbs champion in August and Seldin, who calls himself the 'Hebrew Hammer' and carries a 76 per cent knockout ration into the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, does not mind which holder he takes on.
"He (Ortiz) is 35-1, a Mexican who fights in a typical Mexican style, which is perfect and why HBO put this fight together - because they wanted action," he told Sky Sports.
"This is the fight, I believe, that will go from a title eliminator to a title fight especially because the title was just vacated.
"This is going to be the fight where I'll be able to show the world what Hebrew Hammer is able to bring to the fight. Everyone will see my fight and see me take out Roberto Ortiz in five rounds.
"This is definitely a step in the right direction. Who's next? We don't know but hopefully it'll give us a title shot.
"We've seen what's out there, Terence Crawford pretty much paved the way against everyone else out there and I would love a fight with Crawford as well, and I would give him his best bout out of everyone because of my style.
"I believe I should be fighting for a world title."
Seldin (20-0-KO16) joins bill-topper Daniel Jacobs and heavyweight prospect Jarrell Miller in a venue that has played host to Brooklyn legend Mike Tyson, the second fight between George Foreman and Joe Frazier, as well as a young Roberto Duran.
The fast-talking 31-year-old has finished 13 of his 20 successes inside the opening three rounds and is ready to take the headlines away from his heavier neighbours.
"I am an old-school, throwback, all-action fighter, offence first, defence second and I have proved that," he said.
"I have 20 wins, 16 knockouts and I am the maniac here on Long Island. Everybody knows if you want to see a good fight, be there when I am fighting."
Watch Roberto Ortiz vs Cletus Seldin, live from the Nassau Coliseum, New York, from 2.30am, Sunday, live on Sky Sports Main Event. We will also be showing Conor Benn's US debut in full.
