Welsh featherweight Lee Selby 19( KO 7)-1 was once curiously dubbed as the “Welsh Mayweather.” After a handful of recent performances that sometimes disappointingly, scattered themselves around the average to ok scale, some brilliant mind, that moniker was quietly removed, although the excitement and undercurrent of hope for Selby still remains constant.
More recently Selby has grabbed hold of the reigns again, handling solid opponents with his unusual grace and swaggish flourish, more often then not, Selby presents hints toward him actually being genuinely gifted, it’s these glimpses of unexpected skill, that house the hype and belief many have for him.
His opponent tonight Australian Joel Brunker 27 (KO 15)-0 stands planted as the most immovable inconvenient of barriers. Brunker is real; he has a punishing front foot style, an offense that seems set to legitimately lay out a very legit case to stop Selby in his tracks, and realistically topple him too.
Brunker’s most eye catching tools in this one include his respectable body punching and pure persistent pressure tipped upon his opponent. Selby, has on occasion switched off a little in fights, his punches occasionally have lacked that much needed sickly venom alongside them to garner respect, which has allowed fighters to push him back, at times a little more easily then they should be able to a fighter of Selby’s class. The power of course is there, as brutally exhibited in the Smith and Munroe fights, and an unexpected rib snapping early finish from Selby should surprise no one.
Often in these situations we favor our hometown brethren in a fight as seemingly well balanced as this. I’d gamble that Brunker’s front foot persistence will uncomfortably force Selby on the back foot for more rounds in this fight than Team Selby would feel acceptable. Lee does move well to counter problems such as this, presents unusual angles and often finds himself tattooing opponents with relative ease. Such are his skills, it can be captivating stuff to watch, arms disrespectfully low, showboating, all good stuff.
Selby has for the most part, had the flow of the fights he’s participated in, dictated solely by himself. Someone else who will pick and choose the pace of the encounter, with a hard dig, presents assorted interesting scenarios I’d love to see Selby attempt to tackle, and he may not be able to, which is what makes it a real good fight.
These two have sparred previously, something Selby has offered will bring him added confidence going in. Selby also has a respectable chin, that has eaten up many solid leads and hooks with barely any recognition across his features.
I can’t pick with confidence who wins the fight as I think Brunker is probably much better than I’m giving him credit for, although I’d suspect Selby’s more educated skill set will rack up enough points (at home) to see his hand raised at the end of a very tough, blood encrusted clash.
Should the result be a positive one, up next could be Billy Dib destroyer, Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF title (provided he beats Velez), Gradovich the more talented, tougher and confident version of Brunker, so tonight could pen for us a revealing script.
Selby has to look impressive winning this tonight if he wishes to foster confidence within himself when confronting any kind of challenge toward the “Russian Mexican” We await tonight with interest.
© Wingy 2014
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