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Team Tenny target Selby – Dunlop eyes clash with ‘Lightning Lee’

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Team James Tennyson [26(22)-3(3)] have put Welsh wizard Lee Selby [28(9)-2(0)] on their radar.

Manager Mark Dunlop name dropped the former IBF featherweight world champion, who was once heavily linked with Carl Frampton, following his charge’s lightweight British title eliminator win in Liverpool on Saturday night.

The MHD boss would first like the former Irish, European and Commonwealth champion Tennyson to collect the British title, but then believes a bout with the Barry Town man would be ideal.

Dunlop also named dropped one Vasyl Lomachenko when speaking to Sky Sports, but Selby seems the more attainable name and is a fight ‘The Assassin’s’ team want.

Dunlop was speaking post ‘The Assassin’s’ extremely entertaining clash with two-time Stephen Ormond defeater and another Welshman Craig Evans, who he also lavished praise on.

“I have to say this Craig Evans is a complete warrior. He is rated #7 with the WBO, James is #15 I’d say that will bring him into the top five and Lee Selby is #1. We would fight Lomachenko or Lee Selby after the British title,” Dunlop told Andy Clarke before claiming ‘Lightning’ was a post British title target.

“That’s his boyhood dream. He was won everything, seven titles at just 26, he has learnt on the job, he deserves a good contract and that’s what we are looking for,” he continued suggesting Tennyson has done more than enough to earn a Matchroom contract.

The fight also seems to appeal to recent world title challenger Tennyson, although Ireland’s pound-for-pound biggest puncher has continually declared he will fight anyone put in front of him.

“Absolutely [it would ] be a brilliant fight, like I said I am here to fight anyone.”

Saturday’s eleventh round stoppage win, which unfortunately played out on the non TV portion of the card, see’s Tennyson secure mandatory status for the British title.

The Lonsdale Belt is currently held by Joe Cordina, but he fights at super featherweight this coming Saturday in Monte Carlo and if he enjoys the experience of fighting at the weight below may stay there and vacate, meaning the Belfast fighter may fight for the vacant strap.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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