Andrew Selby (born 25 December 1988) is a Welsh professional boxer who held the British flyweight title from 2016 to 2019. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships, Bronze at the 2013 World Championships, and gold at the 2011 and 2013 European Championships, all in the flyweight division. He is the younger brother of former featherweight world champion Lee Selby.

Andrew Selby
Born (1988-12-25) 25 December 1988 (age 35)
Barry, Wales
NationalityWelsh
Other namesSuperstar
Statistics
Weight(s)Flyweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights14
Wins13
Wins by KO7
Losses1
Medal record
Representing  Wales
World Amateur Championships
Silver medal – second place 2011 Baku Flyweight
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Almaty Flyweight
European Amateur Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Ankara Flyweight
Gold medal – first place 2013 Minsk Flyweight

Amateur career

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Hailing from Colcot, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Selby claimed a silver medal at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, after he was pipped 13:12 by Misha Aloyan. The tournament was also a qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics with a quarter-final being the usual qualification criteria. However, as Selby wasn't the only Brit in his weight division, he had to wait until later that year to seal Olympic qualification when he met Beijing Olympian Khalid Yafai at the 2011 GB Amateur Boxing Championships. Selby won the fight 26:12, thus sealing a place as Great Britain's flyweight representative at the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympics

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Selby's #1 ranking by AIBA meant he was seeded and was given a bye through the first round of the Olympic tournament. His first bout came against Ilyas Suliemenov of Kazakhstan, a stiff test for the Welshman, but one that he passed with relative ease, prevailing 19:15. In the quarterfinal Selby was pitted against the exciting young Cuban Robeisy Ramirez. He fell short to the eventual gold medalist 16:11, preventing Selby from earning a medal.[1]

Selby competed in the 2012–13 World Series of Boxing season, representing the British Lionhearts. He boxed six times during his debut season in the WSB, remaining unbeaten throughout.

His first contest of the tournament was a home tie against Daniele Limone of the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales.[2] Selby outclassed the Italian and won every round on all three judges' score-cards.

2014 Commonwealth Games

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Selby entered the games as gold medal favourite in the 52 kg Flyweight category, but lost his preliminary contest by a unanimous decision to 19-year-old Scottish boxer Reece McFadden. McFadden won the first round, and Selby took the second to have it all square going into the final round. Selby, however, was docked 2 points in round 3 for his gumshield repeatedly coming out, and as a result, would have needed a stoppage to win. The 3 judges' scorecards read 29:26 at the end in favour of the Scot.

Professional boxing career

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Andrew Selby made his professional debut on 30 October 2015 against Tanzanian Haji Juma in Newport, Wales. Selby stopped Juma 2 minutes into the fourth round. Selby claimed he will be ready for a shot at a world title after just 10 professional bouts. Selby won his second professional fight with a second-round stoppage of unbeaten Hungarian Jozsef Ajtai. "I thought we was going to come steaming in at me because he was a smaller guy but as soon as I landed a jab he knew I was too strong for him," said Selby.[3] Selby went the distance for the first time in his third fight against Everth Briceño. Nevertheless, Selby comfortably outpointed his opponent.

After another win, Selby fought Shepshed-based Louis Norman for the BBBofC British flyweight title. Norman had previously held the English flyweight title. Selby cruised to a unanimous decision win (120-109, 120-109, 119-110)[4] Selby won the IBF Inter-Continental flyweight title against Jake Bornea with a seventh round technical knockout. Selby claimed another minor title, the WBC International title, with a points victory (100-90, 100-90, 100-90) over journeyman Ardin Diale. Selby was scheduled to defend his British title against Kevin Satchell on 2016, but Satchell withdrew from the fight.[5][6]

On 26 May 2017, Selby first touched the canvas against Cristofer Rosales. Rosales dropped Selby at the start of the fight. The Welsh boxer would recover and outwork Rosales to earn a unanimous decision (119-108, 118-109, 118-109). With the win, Selby became the mandatory challenger to WBC champion Daigo Higa. After the fight, Selby declared "I want to make money in life, so that is why I fight. At least I am honest. I've got a chance because I will be fighting for a world title. Who likes getting punched in the face? I don't. I just like the cheques."[7]

Selby picked up another win on 7 October 2017 against Maximino Flores. The fight was characterized by both fighters showboating and Selby standing still for certain periods, which allowed Flores to hit him. Both fighters landed significant punches but were unable to hurt each other. As the fight went on, Selby's better technique and sharper work allowed him to outbox Flores and win a unanimous decision (119-109, 117-111, 117-112).[8]

After a year-long layoff, Selbt returned to the ring with a dominant second round TKO win over Adam Yahaya. Selby unloaded a barrage of shots on his opponent near the end of the second round, which prompted the referee to end the fight with 12 seconds left to go in the round.[9]

In his next fight, Selby traveled to Mexico to face Julio Cesar Martinez, in a WBC eliminator, with the winner facing WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards. Selby was ranked #1 by the WBC, as well as #8 by the WBO and #9 by the IBF, while Martinez was ranked #2 by the WBC.[10] In the fifth round, Selby reached in to throw a straight right, but was met with two uppercuts and a left hook which sent Selby straight to the canvas. Selby wasn't able to beat the count and Martinez was awarded the victory.[11]

On 15 November 2019, Selby vacated the British flyweight title.[12]

Personal life

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Andrew Selby is the younger brother of former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby.

Professional boxing record

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14 fights 13 wins 1 loss
By knockout 7 1
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
14 Win 13–1 Fadhili Majiha PTS 8 28 Sep 2019 Eagles Community Centre, Newcastle, England
13 Win 12–1 Worawatchai Boonjan TKO 1 (8), 1:38 13 Sep 2019 Caesars Palace Dubai, Dubai, UAE
12 Loss 11–1 Julio Cesar Martinez KO 5 (12), 0:57 23 Mar 2019 Centro de Espectáculos del Recinto Ferial, Metepec, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Adam Yahaya TKO 2 (6), 2:48 27 Oct 2018 Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
10 Win 10–0 Maximino Flores UD 12 7 Oct 2017 York Hall, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Cristofer Rosales UD 12 26 May 2017 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
8 Win 8–0 Ardin Diale UD 10 4 Feb 2017 Lee Valley VeloPark, London, England Won WBC International flyweight title
7 Win 7–0 Jake Bornea TKO 7 (12), 2:54 18 Nov 2016 Wembley Arena, London, England Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental flyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Felix Moncada TKO 5 (10), 2:10 21 Oct 2016 Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
5 Win 5–0 Louis Norman UD 12 14 May 2016 Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff, Wales Won vacant British flyweight title
4 Win 4–0 Brett Fidoe TKO 6 (8), 1:57 11 Mar 2016 Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
3 Win 3–0 Everth Briceno PTS 6 5 Dec 2015 Westcroft Leisure Centre, Carshalton, England
2 Win 2–0 Jozsef Ajtai TKO 2 (8), 2:07 14 Nov 2015 City Academy Sports Centre, Bristol, England
1 Win 1–0 Haji Juma TKO 4 (8), 2:29 30 Oct 2015 Newport Centre, Newport, Wales

References

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  1. ^ Staniforth, Mark. "Team GB's Andrew Selby defeated by Robeisy Ramirez Carranza in flyweight division". The Independent, 7 August 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  2. ^ BBC. "Great Britain Lionhearts beat Italy in World Series Boxing". 24 November 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Selby impatient for world title shot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  4. ^ Foster, Elliot. "Lee Haskins vs. Ivan Morales LIVE Results: Andrew Selby Wins". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  5. ^ Random Hits. "Andrew Selby vs. Kevin Satchell Purse Bid Won By Sanigar Events". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. ^ Foster, Elliot. "Kevin Satchell Withdraws From Andrew Selby British Title Fight". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Wales' Selby wins world title eliminator". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Selby wins flyweight title eliminator". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Selby marks return with Yahaya stoppage". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Aguilar vs Selby - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Julio Cesar Martinez KOs Andrew Selby on body shot, earns shot at WBC flyweight belt". The Ring. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Andrew Selby vacates British title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
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