Gradovich vs. Selby Showdown is Eyed For Russia

By Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru) and Alexey Sukachev

IBF featherweight champion Evgueny Gradovich (19-0-1, 9 KOs) is ready to honor his champion’s duties by taking on a mandatory challenger in his next fight, says the Russian’s manager Egis Klimas to Allboxing.ru.

Fresh off a spirited but a questionable draw against lanky Puerto-Rican Jayson Velez, Gradovich is ready to make the fifth defense of his belt against IBF #1 and WBO #5 contender Lee Selby (20-1, 8 KOs) of Wales.

Selby, a holder of several domestic and international titles, had a banner year in 2013 with wins over Martin Lindsay, Corey McConnell, Viorel Simion and Ryan Walsh, and continued this trend in 2014 by defeating veteran Rendall Munroe, Mexican Romulo Koasicha and previously undefeated Joel Brunker (27-0) in the IBF final eliminator.

“The IBF has sanctioned this fight as a mandatory title defense”, commented Klimas. “We hope to see it land in Russia. After the holidays (From Jan. 1 till Jan. 11 in Russia) I shall reach out to the Russian promoters for further negotiations."