Lee Selby confirms bareknuckle switch after third contract offer

Lee Selby has agreed to fight bareknuckle after turning down two previous contract offers. The former IBF featherweight world champion said the third proposal met his financial demands.

“They offered a great amount of money, which I declined. Then they offered more money, which I declined again, and finally they offered me enough to make me say yes. I'm a prize-fighter. I've fought my whole life. The prize is money. If the money's right, I'll fight.”

— Lee Selby, via BBC Sport

What Lee Selby said

Selby has not fought since losing his Commonwealth featherweight title in 2022. The Welshman held the IBF featherweight belt between 2015 and 2018. Bareknuckle boxing has drawn several former world champions in recent years, with promoters offering purses that rival traditional gloved competition. Selby did not name the promotion or disclose his first opponent.

What it moves

Selby's decision ends speculation about his ring future and confirms bareknuckle as his next competitive avenue. No fight date or opponent has been announced. The move follows a pattern of established names crossing to the ungloved format after weighing guaranteed money against the risks of a new ruleset.

Source: bbc.com. Full Lee Selby fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.