Joshua: Lee Selby unconcerned by aggression of challenger Eric Hunter
Tuesday 5 April 2016 14:12, UK
IBF world featherweight champion Lee Selby is relaxed over the prospect of facing mandatory challenger Eric Hunter on Saturday - despite the American's aggressive style.
Hunter (21-3-KO11) arrives from Philadelphia with two of his career defeats coming via disqualification - and he wasted no time in kicking off the verbal assault on Selby by questioning the Welshman's self-belief.
But Selby (22-1-KO8), told Sky Sports: "If he wants to stand and fight, we can fight. If he wants to box, we'll box. However, he wants it. I don't mind. If you see me sparring every day in the gym, I just want to have a tear-up.
"You don't win fights like that - or at least, I'm instructed not to. I'm told to box all the time but when it comes down to it, I'd love to have a tear-up.
He hit the guy on the break and they said it was after the bell and the other was low blows. It's no coincidence he got disqualified twice.
"I've never had the trash talking and at weigh-ins I've never had anyone in my face, but it won't affect me at all. It doesn't change my mindset one bit.
"I think his disqualification losses are a bit controversial. He hit the guy on the break and they said it was after the bell and the other was low blows. It's no coincidence he got disqualified twice.
"I have been disqualified myself once. It was against one of Tony Borg's boys and it was for holding. It was a dodgy referee and I think he was in Tony's pocket!"
With a packed house at The O2 and the chance of booking a fight with fellow world champions Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz looking, the 29-year-old 'Welsh Mayweather' is full of enthusiasm.
He added: "I get to fight in front of my British fans at home again. It's the best atmosphere in boxing. It's a dream to go out to America to defend a world title but it's a dream to defend it on home soil in front of 20,000.
"Hunter is s a good fighter and it's a tough fight but I'm always in the gym, always ready and always prepared.
"There have been some great fighters calling me out. Carl Frampton was talking about me after his last fight, Josh Warrington has called me out a lot of times and Leo Santa Cruz has mentioned me too. There are plenty of options but I've got to come through this one.
"Warrington will never get to my level. He's done everything asked of him and won all the titles I vacated and it's a fight that could be made straight away if he comes through his next fight and I come through mine. I'm going to be working for Sky in the studio for his next fight."
Lee Selby vs Eric Hunter is part of Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua, live on Sky Sports Box Office on April 9. Order the event online
