Lee Selby takes on the Russian for the strap on a huge night of boxing in London, with their clash one of three with World titles on the line as Kell Brook defends his IBF World Welterweight strap against Frankie Gavin and Kevin Mitchell challenges Jorge Linares for the WBC World Lightweight belt.
The Welshman has been in imperious form leading up to his big night, and ominously for Gradovich, the 28-year-old believes that fight fans have yet to see the best of him.
“This is a massive stage and the perfect one for me to perform at my very best,” said Selby. “I haven’t been able to showcase my very best on TV yet, but my very best makes me a World champion and one that will defend the title again and again. If I produce my best, you are going to see a devastating win. I want to win this, defend it in Wales and then crack America.
“He’s got a high work rate; he’s aggressive and he comes forward with constant pressure. I am used to that though since I have won my titles domestically, every fighter has tried to be like that with me and I have dealt with them, and I will deal with Gradovich.”
World title bouts for Selby, Brook, Gavin and Mitchell are part of a massive night of boxing at The O2, with Olympic Heavyweight gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE facing the toughest test of his pro career to date against former World title challenger Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson.
There’s a trio of great all-British title bouts with John Ryder and Nick Blackwell clashing for the vacant British Middleweight crown, Scotty Cardle and Craig Evans meeting for the vacant British Lightweight belt and Dave Ryan defending his Commonwealth Light Welterweight title against John Wayne Hibbert, plus the pro debut of Lucien Reid.
Tickets are on sale for the bumper night of boxing at The O2 with tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200 available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. The £400 VIP packages are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com
