Lee Selby says money talks after accepting bare-knuckle offer

Lee Selby has agreed to move into bare-knuckle boxing after a third contract offer met his demands. The former IBF featherweight champion told BBC Sport that escalating financial terms convinced him to enter the sport.

“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 walked away from gloved boxing in 2022 after losing to George Kambosos Jr. The Welshman held the IBF featherweight title and built a career on technical skill inside roped rings. Bare-knuckle promotions have targeted retired world champions with six-figure purses as the combat variant gains traction in Europe and the United States.

What it moves

Selby joins a growing list of former titleholders testing bare-knuckle rules after their gloved careers end. His candour about rejecting two offers before accepting a third signals that established names can drive up their value in negotiation. No opponent or date has been announced.

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