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Selby manager still hoping for Frampton fight next

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Lee Selby‘s manager, Chris Sanigar, has revealed that he has not given up hope of securing the Welshman a fight with Belfast’s Carl Frampton next.

IBF featherweight champion Selby has not fought since a points win over Eric Hunter in April and had hoped to secure a unification fight with the winner of the WBA title clash between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton at the Barclays in July.

Unfortunately, for Selby, the nature of the exciting bout in New York, along with a rematch clause in the contract, means that a repeat of the Fight of the Year candidate now looks likely for December – with Las Vegas apparently the preferred venue.

Nevertheless, Sanigar knows that in the unpredictable World of professional prizefighting that anything is possible, and is ready to jump on any offer for the Barry boxer fight a big name.

The English manager told Sky Sports that “we’re actively chasing [Leo] Santa Cruz, Carl Frampton, Gary Russell Jr, Abner Mares.”

Sanigar described how a domestic unification showdown with Frampton is the match-up he most desires and noted how Team Selby are on red alert to step in if ‘The Jackal’s’ negotiations with Santa Cruz go south. He outlined how “at the minute they’re talking about a return with Santa Cruz, but tomorrow that could be off and suddenly we’re in.”

A Frampton v Selby fight is not one which lends itself to trash talk or manufactured rivalries, with both boxers being highly respectful of each other. Indeed Sanigar pointed out how “Carl Frampton spoke very highly of him [Selby].” The Londoner detailed his man’s motivations and said how Selby just “wants to box the best, and be recognised as somebody who never missed anybody.”

“His motivation is to be the best… and get a pile of money.”

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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