by John Evans
One of the most frustrating parts of being a modern day boxing fan can be the interminable gaps that can occur in a fighter’s career. If we are waiting for a superstar fighter and mega fight then sure, the now standard 24/7 (or 24/7 esque) shows provide entertainment and there is generally enough intrigue surrounding the bout to keep minds ticking over. It’s an all together different story when we are forced to wait to witness the next stage in a promising young fighters development.
Joe Selkirk is a prime example. The talented light middleweight seems to have all the tools required to make a big impact but his career has so far been curtailed through injury and long spells of inactivity. As frustrating as it is for fans though, imagine how demoralizing it is for the fighter. Happily in Selkirk’s case there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. He makes his return to the ring after a seven month absence on Frank Warrens big July 16th show and is hopeful that is career is about to finally click into gear.
This will be Selkirk’s first appearance since winning a six round decision over the then 12-1 Steve O’Meara on the undercard of the Paul Smith v James DeGale fight last December and this will be just his seventh fight since turning professional three years ago.
Since that victory, Selkirk has seen the stars of fighters like Tom Doran, Prince Arron and Jamie Cox rise whilst his has dipped below the horizon and out of sight. Out of sight but not out of mind though. Ask any North West based boxer to name the fighters with the potential to go all the way and the talented 25-year-old’s name invariably crops up.
Selkirk return sees him matched with Terry Carruthers at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. Whilst facing the 8-8-6 Callaghan may seem like a step down in quality after taking O’Meara’s scalp, the 6-0 Scouser sees things much differently.
”I'm just happy to be fighting more than anything. I wouldn't like to say it’s a step down, obviously on paper it looks that way but I don't see it like that. Every fighter can test you in different ways,” states Selkirk.
“It’s been really hard for me not fighting for 7 months especially when I've been injury free. It can be a bit disheartening at times but you just have to get on with it but hopefully I can get 3 or 4 in by Christmas.”
Selkirk seems upbeat about the future and he clearly can’t wait to get back in the ring in front of his home crowd. He claims the hand troubles which have plagued him since his amateur days are behind him and if the veracity of his training for Carruthers is any kind of marker, Britain’s top 154lbers could well have their hands full over the next 18 months. Yes, that’s 154lbs. Although Selkirk is listed as a middleweight in some rankings, he has no immediate plans to compete at 160lbs.
“Light middle is still were I see myself. I make the weight too easy to move up and I might have to put weight on for this fight,” he says.
“I was originally meant to go to Tenerife but we ended up going to Lanzarote. It’s been a heat wave here, over 40 degrees, so it’s been really hard but I feel great. Before I went away I sparred Matthew Macklin and I'll get someone in next week when I'm back and do a solid week sparring. My hands aren't an issue anymore. I feel like my right hand’s getting stronger and stronger.
“I always love fighting in Liverpool, especially in the Echo Arena, it’s a great venue and it brings in all the Liverpool boxing fans who always get behind us. To have Tony Bellew, one of my best mates, fighting for a British title on the same bill makes it a big night! Rocky Fielding is on it as well and it’s a great show for him to box on in his first fight for Frank Warren so he'll be as excited as we are.”
Whilst the victory over O’Meara looks like an excellent one on paper, at the time the Liverpudlian described himself as “disgusted” with his performance. Depending on the character of the fighter, the layoff which has followed could have had either a positive or negative effect. Had Selkirk spent the past seven months stewing on the negatives, doubts and pressure could have enveloped him. Fans of the former ABA welterweight champion will be pleased to know that in his case the opposite seems to be true.
”Yes, I was gutted but I might have been a bit hard on myself. You never like saying things like this but I had a chest infection the last two weeks before the fight so that could have played a part in my performance and not being able to pick it up when I wanted to but that's gone now. I just want to concentrate on Carruthers and hopefully perform to my best. I know if I came across O’Meara again the fight would go a lot different,” reasons Selkirk.
To add to Selkirks ire, his prolonged spells on the sidelines have been spent watching former amateur victim Sam Webb first win the British title and then lose it to the unheralded former Prizefighter winner Prince Arron.
The fight between Arron and Webb was a thriller. The young Mancunian produced the performance of his career to drop Webb heavily in the fifth and eventually take his man out in the final round. Webb’s display of bravery has also drawn plaudits. Selkirk was an interested spectator.
”I was surprised how easy Webb was out-boxing him the first few rounds to be honest especially with all the advantages Arron had in height and reach but the fight changed when he caught him with that good shot and dropped him. I don't think Webb recovered and I couldn't believe it lasted until the 12th. I did pick Arron to beat Webb. I thought the size difference would tell in the end,” he says.
Whilst undoubtedly frustrating, it must also give him encouragement to see a fighter such as Arron rise from early career defeats to claim the British title in a few months. If Selkirk can remain injury free and busy, it isn’t hard to envisage him making a similar charge up the rankings.
“It does fire me up but it’s frustrating at the same time, if it wasn't for my injuries I probably could have been British champion by now but it just makes me hungrier. I think everything happens for a reason so I just have to be patient, try to keep winning and my time will come.”
How does he feel about the new champion? “Arron’s come on a lot but when I'm ready for 12 rounds I'd be really confident of beating him.”
If Selkirk is indeed finally set for a sustained run towards the domestic belts, those notorious hands are going to be full. The British light middleweight rankings are home to a number of talented and dangerous fighters. Veterans like Ryan Rhodes (should he choose to fight on after his recent dismantling by Saul Alvarez) and Bradley Pryce are joined by a pack of young ambitious fighters, all eager to make their mark.
“I think there are a lot of good fighters at light middle. The likes of Matthew Hall, Jamie Cox, Webb, Arron and my gym mate Joe McNally who I don't see as a rival but he could beat anyone I've mentioned,” he says.
“I don't worry about anyone really I just need to keep training hard, keep trying to improve and if I do that I'm capable of beating anyone at this weight,” concluded Selkirk.
