Lee Selby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lee Selby
Selby in 2015
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Lightning The Welsh Mayweather
Rated at	Featherweight Lightweight
Height	5 ft 8 in
Reach	69+1/2 in
Born	(1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 38) Barry Town, Wales
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	32
Wins	28
Wins by KO	9
Losses	4
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Wales Welsh National Championships Gold 2006 Newport Featherweight Gold 2007 Ystradgynlais Lightweight Gold 2008 Port Talbot Heavyweight

Lee Selby (born February 14, 1987) is a retired Welsh professional boxer. He was a world champion, holding the IBF featherweight title from 2015 to 2018. Before that, he also won important British, Commonwealth, and European featherweight titles between 2011 and 2014.

Lee Selby's Boxing Journey

Starting His Boxing Career

Lee Selby started his professional boxing journey on July 12, 2008. His first fight was a win against Sid Razak in Newport, Wales. He won his first four fights before facing his first loss in May 2009 to Samir Mouneimne.

After that first loss, Lee won his next three fights. On October 30, 2010, he won the Welsh Area title by knocking out Dai Davies in the second round. Then, in July 2011, he won the Celtic featherweight title by stopping James Ancliff in the sixth round.

Becoming British and Commonwealth Champion

On September 17, 2011, Lee Selby won two big titles: the British and Commonwealth featherweight championships. He beat the champion, Stephen Smith, in the eighth round in Liverpool. Even though many people thought Smith would win, Lee took control of the fight. He hit Smith with a strong left hand in the eighth round, and Smith couldn't continue.

After his big win, Lee said it felt like he had won a world title. He added that winning these belts was a dream he had since he was a kid, and it was a huge achievement. In April 2013, Lee also beat the undefeated Australian champion Corey McConnell. McConnell's team stopped the fight in the fifth round.

Winning the WBC International Title

Selby attending a football match in 2013

On July 13, 2013, Lee Selby took another step closer to a world title. He fought Viorel Simion, an undefeated boxer from Romania, in Hull. Lee won the WBC International featherweight title by a unanimous decision. This means all the judges agreed he won the fight. Many boxing experts said this was the toughest challenge of Lee's career, and he passed it.

Becoming IBF Featherweight World Champion

Selby vs. Gradovich

In May 2015, Lee Selby achieved his dream of becoming a world champion. He won the IBF featherweight title from Evgeny Gradovich. The fight ended early because Gradovich got a cut from an accidental head clash and couldn't continue. The judges looked at the scores up to that point and decided Lee was the winner.

Selby vs. Montiel

Lee Selby successfully defended his IBF featherweight title in October 2015. He beat Mexican boxer Fernando Montiel in Arizona. Lee dedicated this important win to his childhood friend, Darren Bray, who had recently passed away.

Selby vs. Barros

In July 2017, Lee defended his IBF featherweight title again. Just a few weeks before this fight, Lee received sad news that his mother had suddenly died. His family encouraged him to withdraw from the fight. However, Lee decided to keep training and dedicated the fight to his mother. He won the fight against Jonathan Victor Barros.

Selby vs. Warrington

On May 19, 2018, Lee Selby defended his IBF featherweight title for the fifth time against Josh Warrington, who was undefeated. Warrington started strong and landed some good punches early in the fight. Lee got a bad cut over his left eye in the sixth round but was allowed to continue. Warrington was more active and landed more clear punches throughout the fight. Lee lost his world title to Warrington by a split decision. This means two judges thought Warrington won, and one judge thought Lee won.

Later Career Fights

Selby vs. Douglas

After losing his IBF title, Lee Selby bounced back with a win against Omar Douglas in February 2019. It was a tough fight, but Lee showed his skill and won by a unanimous decision.

Selby vs. Burns

In his next fight, Lee Selby faced Ricky Burns, who was also a former world champion. It was a very close fight with many fouls. Lee managed to win on two of the judges' scorecards, while the third judge scored it a draw.

Selby vs. Kambosos Jr.

Lee Selby was supposed to fight George Kambosos Jr. in Cardiff in May 2020. However, the fight was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fight eventually happened on October 31, 2020, in London. Lee fought all 12 rounds but lost by a split decision.

Lee Selby announced that he was retiring from boxing on April 5, 2022.

Professional Boxing Record

Family Life

Lee Selby has a brother named Andrew Selby. Andrew is also a boxer and represented Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics as a flyweight.

See Also

• List of Welsh boxing world champions