IBF champion Lee Selby reveals Carl Frampton talks
IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby has revealed that his team are trying to make a title defence against Carl Frampton.
The Welshman has recently seen negotiations with long-time rival Josh Warrington collapse once again, and he is now dead-set on a fight with Belfast’s Frampton.
Selby, who has successfully defended his belt thrice, told ESPN that “now we’re trying to make the Frampton fight and that’s the fight I want, or the likes of Gary Russell Jr.”
“From what I know my management have spoken to Al Haymon and it’s the fight I want and I believe it’s the fight Carl Frampton wants too.”
“It’s the fight they are trying to make and it would have to be over here. I’m hoping it gets done soon.”
‘The Jackal’ himself last month confirmed his split from the McGuigan family and Cyclone Promotions.
Frampton [23(14)-1(0)] had hoped to fight Selby [25(9)-1(0)] this Summer at Windsor Park in Belfast. Initially this was viewed as a potential unification before the Ulsterman lost his WBA title in a rematch to Leo Santa Cruz in January.
Selby was also due to fight on this card in Las Vegas, but saw his mandatory defence with Jonathan Victor Barros fall through. With subsequent uncertainty around the mandatory situation, talks for a Selby-Frampton title defence also fell through.
Selby would widely outpoint Barros in London in July.
Ahead of Frampton’s homecoming bout with Andres Gutierrez in July, the general impression was that it, despite being a WBC eliminator, would lead to a long-awaited clash with Selby.
The clash was, of course, unfortunately cancelled when Gutierrez suffered a freak accident and in the aftermath Frampton spoke of his desire to now jump straight back into world title fights.
The 30 year old is believed to be linking up with Manchester coach Jamie Moore following his McGuigan split, but it remains to be seen whether his ‘title fight next’ mantra remains or whether he would like a fight beforehand to adjust.
In terms of venue for a proposed fight, the lack of a 20,000-capacity indoor arena in Ireland means that it would most likely take place in Britain at the likes of the O2 in London or the Manchester Arena.
