BATTLE OF THE BRITS
LEE Selby says he is keen to face fellow Brit Josh Warrington after successfully defending his IBF world featherweight title against Eduardo Ramirez at the Copper Box in London.
The Welshman secured a unanimous points victory over Ramirez, although his belt was not on the line after the Mexican failed to make the weight.
The 30-year-old Selby, who lost his mother just days before he defended his title against Jonathan Victor Barros in July - a fight which had been postponed after the Argentine failed a blood test - appeared keen to put on a good show.
Ramirez may have arrived in England eight pounds over the featherweight limit, but he, too, was up for the fight, and the southpaw provided a nagging test throughout the 12 rounds.
England’s Warrington is Selby’s mandatory challenger after beating Dennis Ceylan in October, and Selby believes the fight would be good for British boxing.
“First of all it’s a massive fight,” Selby told BT Sport 1. “He has earned the mandatory position so to get there he has to be a good fighter.
“We’ve sort of exchanged words in the past but a fight between Josh and I would be massive and fantastic for British boxing.”
On Ramirez, Selby added: “I thought it was a decent performance against a very game Mexican fighter who was unbeaten, came from a great stable.
“They knew me inside out, they knew what to expect and they sent him in with the best game plan possible.”
Warrington, who was working ringside as a pundit, also insisted he was keen to fight Selby in 2018.
“First of all before we start talking about contracts, it’s nice to be talked about a decent fighter rather than just average.
“He’s done what he’s had to do. I’m not bothered if I have to go to Cardiff... it’s no big deal to me and a lot of Leeds will travel with me but if we can get a big stadium fight at Elland Road that will be massive.”
Meanwhile, promoter Frank Warren insists James DeGale will not walk away from boxing despite the Londoner hinting at retirement following his shock defeat to Caleb Truax.
Truax, the 34-year-old American, was a 16-1 outsider to beat the former Olympic champion.
But DeGale, who was taken to hospital after the bruising encounter following a suspected broken nose, was no match for Truax and lost on a majority decision.
DeGale was making his comeback after nearly a year on the sidelines following shoulder surgery, and was expected to have despatched of Truax with a view to fighting long-term rival George Groves or Chris Eubank Jnr in an all-British mega fight next year.
But the 31-year-old’s career now hangs in the balance.
But Warren, who already has one eye on a rematch with Truax, believes DeGale will fight on.
“I don’t think he will retire,” Warren said. “You’ve got to be tough mentally, and if you had a bad day at the office, as James had, then you have got to push it to the back of your mind, learn from it, get back in the ring and show them what you are made of.
“It is not like he is a washed-up fighter. He is only 31 and he is still a young man. Of course it is a setback - any loss is a setback for a champion if you lose your title - but champions come back and win and we have seen a lot of fighters do that over the years.”
DeGale’s fourth defence of his title fell apart in the fifth round after Truax unleashed a number of fierce shots with his opponent up against the ropes. DeGale somehow survived the barrage, but headed to his corner bruised, bloodied and in deep trouble.
DeGale put up brave resistance to stay in the fight, but it was Truax who delivered the more telling shots, with two judges scoring the fight 115-112 and 116-112 in favour of the challenger. A GUTTED Ryan Day admits it will be hard to get over his Betway UK Championship semi-final defeat at the hands of Shaun Murphy.
The Welsh cueman could not contain the 2005 world champion who raced into a 4-1 lead with superb breaks of 104 and 135.
Although Day managed a fine 128 century break of his own, Murphy was able to pinch the ninth frame to secure a 6-3 victory.
This was Day’s first semi-final appearance at a triple-crown event, but the 37-year-old believes the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow.
“I’m disappointed to have lost, but Shaun was the better player, he played well and punished a couple of my mistakes,” Day said.
“There were a couple of balls I missed, especially the one into the middle pocket when I had the chance to bring it back to 4-3. He took the chance and played really good.
“I’m not going to take a lot from getting to the semis at the moment, I’m disappointed not to be in the final in with a chance of winning the UK title.”
He might be struggling to come to terms with his latest defeat but it has been a breakthrough season for the Bridgend potter.
Day has followed up his Riga Masters title in June with a fine run on the baize at the York Barbican this week.
The Scottish Open now awaits for Day and the world No.19 hopes he can dust himself down for a clash with Anthony McGill in round one.
He said: “The Riga Masters was a good weekend. Six or seven good matches and it was nice to come home with the trophy.
“I play Anthony McGill on Tuesday night in Glasgow and you’ve got to dust yourself down and play the next event, all these tournaments sort of roll into one.
“You just turn up, play, and if you win great, if you don’t then you go back home.”