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Home » Andrew Selby v Ardin Diale: WBC eliminator set for Feb 4

Andrew Selby v Ardin Diale: WBC eliminator set for Feb 4

Selby v Diale is part of the eagerly-anticipated bill on ITV Box Office which includes Chris Eubank Jnr v Renold Quinlan, plus David Price v Christian Hammer, Adam Etches v John Ryder and Kid Galahad v Joseph Agbeko.

Selby, younger brother of world featherweight champion Lee Selby, has made a blistering start to his professional career, with seven straight victories and he captured the British flyweight title in only his fifth fight in the paid ranks.

But this, a WBC eliminator, will be a testing hurdle for the 28-year-old from south Wales as the Filipino has mixed it in the highest class, including a losing bid for the world title when he fought Julio Cesar Miranda in 2011.

Selby said: “It is a fantastic move in the right direction for me as Diale is good, strong, durable and he has boxed at the top level for many years. He is the sort of opponent I have to beat to prove my credentials as a future world champion.

“I’m on a roll and I want to fight for the world title by the end of this year. I’m ready and I know I will do it. It will create sporting history with my brother also being a world champion. The Selbys will really be on the boxing map.”

Selby has huge respect for Diale as he prepares for their WBC International title contest, but has vowed to wow the fans at London’s Olympia and those thousands watching on ITV Box Office.

“It is a perfect chance for me to showcase my skills,” he said. “I’ve got the nickname ‘Superstar’ and I will live up to that. I’m going all the way. The supporters who come on the night will see what all the hype is about. My aim is to clean up the division.”

Selby easily makes the scales as a flyweight, but hasn’t ruled out moving up a division or two later in his career.

He said: “I’m a natural flyweight at the moment, but that could change as I naturally grow bigger.”

Diale, 28, nicknamed ‘The Jackal,’ has lost only once in his last 11 contests and comes into the ring vastly more experienced than Selby having turned pro in 2006.

Selby said: “Experience is one thing and he has got plenty of that, but talent and skills are what wins the day. I respect all my opponents and Diale is no different, but I will win and I plan to win big, by knocking him out.”

Selby’s manager Chris Sanigar calls his fighter a “special talent” and is convinced fight fans are in for a rare treat.

Sanigar said: “Andrew is such an incredible athlete and I’m 100 percent convinced someone even as good as Diale will not know what has hit him.”

Selby v Diale will be shown live and exclusively on ITV Box Office on February 4th.