Lee Selby says he will take a huge step to landing his dream World title when he faces Romulo Koasicha at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday night. Check out the weigh-in results, quotes and more for the card, which also features Nathan Cleverly’s cruiserweight debut.
Selby finds himself ranked in the top ten in the IBF and WBO and he believes can turn his number four ranking in the WBC into a shot at champion Jhonny Gonzalez with a big win over Koasicha.
“It’s a massive an opportunity,” said Selby, who tipped the scales at 8st 13lb 6oz, two ounces heavier than his opponent. “It’s a step closer to becoming a World champion, which is something I’ve dreamt of since I was a kid and when I started boxing. It’s definitely the biggest night of my career
“I’ve got the skill and the ability that you need to be a good boxer. I want it more than anyone else. I’m as hungry as they come and I can taste that World title glory.
“The carrot of fighting for the belt is extra motivation definitely. If I do get a chance to fight Gonzalez for his world title, I’d give it 110 per cent and I’d be ready. As long as I get the opportunity to fight for the belt then I’d be happy and it would be up to me to turn up and perform. I’d be happy to travel anywhere for the fight.
“I’ll fight whenever. I’m ready now. But I think the plan is to fight on this bill, have a final eliminator around September time and hopefully leave 2014 as the mandatory challenger.”
It’s a huge chance for 23 year old Koasicha to upset the applecart and land a title shot of his own. The Mexican fights outside his homeland for the first time in his career, but after regaining the WBC United States title in July and defending it in February, his confidence is high and Selby is expecting a tough night.
“I’ve checked him out on YouTube to see how he fights,” said Selby. “The problem is that the two clips I’ve watched, once he was fighting on the front foot and the other he was on the back so I’m not too sure what to expect from him on the night. I’ll just have to adapt when we get in there.
“He’s going to be a tough opponent. He punches hard as well with a decent knockout rate. He looks about my size which is impressive for a featherweight because I’m usually towering over my opponents at the weight.
“For him the travelling and a different climate could play a part. When I flew out to America recently for the sparring, it took my body a couple of days to adjust and get used to it.”
If Selby can get that World title shot, he’s certain to push for it to be here in Cardiff, where he’s beginning to become a big star. He is joined by two former World champions on the Cardiff bill in Nathan Cleverly and Gavin Rees, and Selby is soaking up every minute of the attention he’s receiving from fans and pundits.
“It’s great to see that my work being recognised,” said Selby. “I started off on the small shows and now people are recognising my work so it’s a great feeling. It’s an amazing feeling coming out to my ring walk music and hearing thousands of fans screaming my name. When I came out against Munroe, there were people there screaming my name, people I’ve never even met before but you could see the passion in their faces – there’s no better feeling.
“It’s amazing. Not just for myself, but for other Welsh boxers and the up and coming fighters. It’s amazing they get to showcase their talents on good cards and get shown on TV on Sky Sports, which is the best platform for boxing in the UK. I started off on the small shows for no or little money in little town leisure centres and now I’m selling out arenas and headlining events.”
Cleverly’s clash with Corbin is part of a huge line-up of action in Cardiff with Featherweight star Lee Selby tackling Mexican Romulo Koasicha in a WBC title eliminator.
Gavin Rees bows out of the pro game after a glittering career with a rematch of his Fight of the Year contender against Gary Buckland, Liverpool’s Super Middleweight star Callum Smith defends his WBC International Super Middleweight title against Swansea’s Tobias Webb, Dale Evans faces Mark Douglas, plus there’s action for Chris Jenkins, Mitch Buckland, Robbie Turley and Alex Hughes.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, and from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.
VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.
Proposed running order (subject to change) and weights (where available)
5.40pm 4 x 3 mins Super Middleweight Contest
ALEX HUGHES v MARK TILL
(Maerdy) (Stoke on Trent)
6pm 6 x 3 mins Super Bantamweight Contest
ROBBIE TURLEY (8st 13lb) v MARC CALLAGHAN (8st 13lbs)
(Newport) (Dagenham)
6.30pm 8 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest
DALE EVANS (10st 9lb) v MARK DOUGLAS (10st 0lb 11oz)
(St Clears) (Wokingham)
Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30pm
7.40pm 8 x 3 mins Super Middleweight Contest
PAUL SMITH JNR (12st 3lb 9oz) v DAVID SARABIA (12st 2lb 3oz)
(Liverpool) (Spain)
Followed by…
TV 2 10 x 3 mins WBC International Super Middleweight title
CALLUM SMITH (11st 12lb 14oz) v TOBIAS WEBB (11st 13lbs 6oz)
(Liverpool) (Swansea)
Followed by…
TV 3 12 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest
GAVIN REES (9st 11lb) v GARY BUCKLAND (9st 11lb)
(Newbridge) (Cardiff)
Followed by…
TV 4 12 x 3 mins vacant WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title
NATHAN CLEVERLY (14st 2lb 5oz) v SHAUN CORBIN (13st 13lb 7oz)
(Cefn Forest) (Trinidad)
Followed by…
TV 5 12 x 3 mins Featherweight World Title Eliminator and vacant WBC Int’l title
LEE SELBY (8st 13lb 6oz) v ROMULO KOASICHA (8st 13lb 4oz)
(Barry) (Mexico)
TO BE SCHEDULED
8 x 3 mins Light Welterweight Contest
CHRIS JENKINS (10st 0lb 14oz) v MIGUEL AGUILAR (10st 0lb 11oz)
(Swansea) (Spain)
6 x 3 mins Light Welterweight Contest
MITCH BUCKLAND (10st 1lb 11oz) v DAZA USHER (10st 1lb 14oz)
(Cardiff) (Bicester)
