Gradovich-Selby Tilt Likely Pushed Back To May

By Terence Dooley

It looks like Lee Selby will have to wait until May for his shot at IBF featherweight titlist Evgeny Gradovich, according to the IBF and Eddie Hearn, Selby’s promoter.  

The IBF have confirmed that the mooted April 25 date is in jeopardy following last week’s news that James DeGale will have to travel for his crack at the vacant IBF title, which was a big blow to Hearn’s proposed April O2 Arena show.

“[It will] probably move to May,” stated Hearn when speaking to Boxing News online.  “The one thing we've got to sort is the Selby-Gradovich fight. I tried to switch that to Wales but not permitted, they didn't want to go to Wales.  They didn't mind London but they don't want to go to his back yard, so it will probably switch to May.”

It leaves Selby, 20-1 (8), waiting on a new date for his mandatory crack at the 19-0-1 (9) Gradovich, who won the title by beating Billy Dib by split decision in 2013.  The 28-year-old Russian has made four defences, he drew against Jason Velez in November to hold on to his crown. 

Selby, 28, stopped the previously undefeated Joel Brunker in the ninth-round in his last fight to keep himself on course for his crack at the IBF belt.

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