Lee Selby: Welsh lightweight set to face Gustavo Lemos in IBF title eliminator

Image source, Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Image caption, George Kambosos Jr (right) won a split decision over Lee Selby when the pair met in October 2020

Former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby is set to fight Gustavo Lemos in a final eliminator to face George Kambosos Jr for his lightweight titles.

Australian Kambosos stunned American Teofimo Lopez on a split decision in New York last week to hold the WBA, WBO and IBF lightweight belts.

Selby lost a split decision to Kambosos at Wembley Arena in October 2020.

But the 34-year-old will become the IBF mandatory challenger if he overcomes unbeaten Argentinian Lemos, 25.

That would give Selby the opportunity to become the first two-weight world champion from Wales.

Selby's Promoter Jamie Sanigar has confirmed that Selby, ranked fourth by the IBF, and Lemos - ranked third - would contest the final eliminator, with purse negotiations understood to be under way.

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That is because number two contender Isaac Cruz challenges Gervonta Davis for his WBA lightweight title this weekend.

While the winner of Selby-Lemos would become the IBF's mandatory challenger - as Kambosos also holds the WBA and WBO titles - there will be others jostling for a place in the queue to face a man who is now unbeaten in 20 fights.

Kambosos has been called out by American Devin Haney, who holds the WBC lightweight belt.

Kambosos said there was potential for a rematch with Selby, but told BBC Radio 5 Live boxing "we've got bigger fish to fry now" following his win over Lopez.

"All respect to Lee. I've never said a bad word about him since our fight was done," Kambosos said.

"I don't believe the fight was nowhere near close. He's a very good boxer - he's big, he's rangy and he moves very well. I knew Lopez would be better for my style and styles make fights.

"Lee is a crafty technician but I outboxed him that night as well, picked him apart.

"We'll see. If he picks up another good win there might be a rematch there.

"I don't duck or dodge anybody; I'll fight anyone anytime. But I want to fight back home now - I've earned that."