Family under pressure
Andrew Selby insists the pressure of competing is nothing compared to what his mother endures while watching..
Last Updated: 23/07/12 10:59am
Andrew Selby insists the pressure of heading into the London Games as one of Great Britain's brightest boxing medal prospects is nothing compared to the torture being endured by his mother Frances on the sidelines.
Selby, from Barry, was crowned European champion in 2011 and followed it up by winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Baku - where he was beaten by a single point by Russia's world number one Misha Aloian.
However, Selby revealed his mother could not bear to watch any of it because she is terrified of seeing her two boys - Selby's brother Lee is a professional and the reigning Commonwealth featherweight champion - in action.
Pressure
Selby said: "My mum watched me once years ago, but apart from that she's only ever seen me on TV. I've persuaded her to come to London for the Olympics, and there's no doubt she'll be under more pressure than me.
"She did go and watch my brother's last fight and she survived, but she was really nervous.
"It's really difficult for her to watch us box so I've just got to make sure I win in a way that will keep her as calm as possible."
Scrutiny
Selby battled weight-making issues for years and threatened to slide away from the British elite scene entirely after a hugely disappointing defeat to Amir Khan's brother Haroon - who was representing Pakistan - in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Selby's amazing turnaround has not come without its issues and the Welshman admits he is no stranger to nerves of his own - particularly when his new-found profile means he become the inevitable subject of media scrutiny.
Selby added: "I've started to get used to the interviews now. Usually I would collapse if I saw a camera.
"I still think getting in the ring is the easy part. I've got experience of the big occasion and the fact it's in London is not going to get to me at all."
