Andrew Selby


Andrew Selby is a Welsh professional boxer who held the British flyweight title from 2016 to 2019. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships, Bronze at the 2013 World Championships, and gold at the 2011 and 2013 European Championships, all in the flyweight division. He is the younger brother of former featherweight world champion Lee Selby.

Amateur career

Hailing from Colcot, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Selby claimed a silver medal at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, after he was pipped 13:12 by Misha Aloyan. The tournament was also a qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics with a quarter-final being the usual qualification criteria. However, as Selby wasn't the only Brit in his weight division, he had to wait until later that year to seal Olympic qualification when he met Beijing Olympian Khalid Yafai at the 2011 GB Amateur Boxing Championships. Selby won the fight 26:12, thus sealing a place as Great Britain's flyweight representative at the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympics

Selby's #1 ranking by AIBA meant he was seeded and was given a bye through the first round of the Olympic tournament. His first bout came against Ilyas Suliemenov of Kazakhstan, a stiff test for the Welshman, but one that he passed with relative ease, prevailing 19:15. In the quarterfinal Selby was pitted against the exciting young Cuban Robeisy Ramirez. He fell short to the eventual gold medalist 16:11, preventing Selby from earning a medal.

WSB

Selby competed in the 2012–13 World Series of Boxing season, representing the British Lionhearts. He boxed six times during his debut season in the WSB, remaining unbeaten throughout.
His first contest of the tournament was a home tie against Daniele Limone of the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales. Selby outclassed the Italian and won every round on all three judges' score-cards.

2014 Commonwealth Games

Selby entered the games as gold medal favourite in the 52 kg Flyweight category, but lost his preliminary contest by a unanimous decision to 19-year-old Scottish boxer Reece McFadden. McFadden won the first round, and Selby took the second to have it all square going into the final round. Selby, however, was docked 2 points in round 3 for his gumshield repeatedly coming out, and as a result, would have needed a stoppage to win. The 3 judges' scorecards read 29:26 at the end in favour of the Scot.

Professional boxing career

Andrew Selby made his professional debut on 30 October 2015 against Tanzanian Haji Juma in Newport, Wales. Selby stopped Juma 2 minutes into the fourth round. Selby claimed he will be ready for a shot at a world title after just 10 professional bouts. Selby won his second professional fight with a second-round stoppage of unbeaten Hungarian Jozsef Ajtai. "I thought we was going to come steaming in at me because he was a smaller guy but as soon as I landed a jab he knew I was too strong for him," said Selby. Selby went the distance for the first time in his third fight against Everth Briceño. Nevertheless, Selby comfortably outpointed his opponent.
After another win, Selby fought Shepshed-based Louis Norman for the BBBofC British flyweight title. Norman had previously held the English flyweight title. Selby cruised to a unanimous decision win Selby won the IBF Inter-Continental flyweight title against Jake Bornea with a seventh round technical knockout. Selby claimed another minor title, the WBC International title, with a points victory over journeyman Ardin Diale. Selby was scheduled to defend his British title against Kevin Satchell on 2016, but Satchell withdrew from the fight.
On 26 May 2017, Selby first touched the canvas against Cristofer Rosales. Rosales dropped Selby at the start of the fight. The Welsh boxer would recover and outwork Rosales to earn a unanimous decision. With the win, Selby became the mandatory challenger to WBC champion Daigo Higa. After the fight, Selby declared "I want to make money in life, so that is why I fight. At least I am honest. I've got a chance because I will be fighting for a world title. Who likes getting punched in the face? I don't. I just like the cheques."
Selby picked up another win on 7 October 2017 against Maximino Flores. The fight was characterized by both fighters showboating and Selby standing still for certain periods, which allowed Flores to hit him. Both fighters landed significant punches but were unable to hurt each other. As the fight went on, Selby's better technique and sharper work allowed him to outbox Flores and win a unanimous decision.

Personal life

Andrew Selby is the younger brother of former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
14Win13–1 Fadhili MajihaPTS828 Sep 2019Community Centre, Newcastle, England.png" />
13Win12–1 Worawatchai BoonjanTKO1, 1:3813 Sep 2019Dubai, Dubai, UAE.png" />
12Loss11–1 Julio Cesar MartinezKO5, 0:5723 Mar 2019Metepec, Mexico.png" />
11Win11–0 Adam YahayaTKO2, 2:4827 Oct 2018Newport Centre, Newport, Wales.png" />
10Win10–0 Maximino FloresUD127 Oct 2017York Hall, London, England.png" />
9Win9–0 Cristofer RosalesUD1226 May 2017Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales.png" />
8Win8–0 Ardin DialeUD104 Feb 2017Lee Valley VeloPark, London, England.png" />Won WBC International flyweight title
7Win7–0 Jake BorneaTKO7, 2:5418 Nov 2016Wembley Arena, London, England.png" />Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental flyweight title
6Win6–0 Felix MoncadaTKO5, 2:1021 Oct 2016Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland.png" />
5Win5–0 Louis NormanUD1214 May 2016Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff, Wales.png" />Won vacant British flyweight title
4Win4–0 Brett FidoeTKO6, 1:5711 Mar 2016
3Win3–0 Everth BricenoPTS65 Dec 2015Westcroft Leisure Centre, Carshalton, England.png" />
2Win2–0 Jozsef AjtaiTKO2, 2:0714 Nov 2015Sports Centre, Bristol, England.png" />
1Win1–0 Haji JumaTKO4, 2:2930 Oct 2015