Lee Selby’s dream of becoming a second-division world champion was dealt a heavy blow to Argentina following Saturday night’s loss to Gustavo Lemos.
The Welshman traveled to South America to reach the IBF knockout stages with winners lining up for a spot into champion George Kambosos Jr.
Selby, now 35, had a promising start at the Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires but power and numbing body blows from Lemos ended the problem in the fifth inning.
A former IBF featherweight champion, Selby has been campaigning at 135lbs for the past three years to win over Omar Douglas and Ricky Burns. In October 2020, he lost to Kambosos in a split decision, sending the Australians ahead and dethroning Teofimo Lopez in New York. With the lightweight division currently seething with existing and emerging world-class fighters, it’s hard to see where Selby goes from here.
‘Lightning’ got off to a professional start against Lemos. The left arm is brought out to measure the range and the stab that follows. The Argentinian should have pondered something, but Lemos had no respect for what was in front of him. The opening bout is a clear indicator of the host’s tactics. Search and destroy.
Selby was always on the move to avoid the growing pressure with each round. Lemos was digging through the body and trying to make the man from Barry as uncomfortable as possible. Success came at the end of the second as Selby let go with visible success, but Lemos made his way to his corner with no sign of pain or difficulty.
An incorrect initial combination from Selby in the third inning caused Lemos to smile. However, a problem appeared in the form of a cut in Lemos’ left eye. The blood only made him crave more destruction.
Round 4 was a tough one for Selby. The punches to the body were his downfall. A high energy combination helped clear the former champion and any good work he performed disappeared into the night. Selby used her experience to hold on, but soon fell to her knees.
too much punch to the midsection. He is suffering but has survived the nightmare cycle.
Selby initiates the fifth stab as a lifeless prey seeking to fend off its hungry beast. Lemos could smell the end. The body is the target again. One earth landed before a punch to the back of the head knocked the away boxer down a second time. There are still two and a half minutes left.
Ninety seconds later and Selby was on the wire. Lemos screams and won’t stop until his opponent gives in. The proud Welshman lay on the floor again, but this time referee Mario Gonzalez had seen enough and put his arm across the beaten man’s chest to save him from himself.
One night when Jeremia Nakathila’s years-long punch on Miguel Berchelt at light-weight Gustavo Lemos came as another thorny issue for the division. As for Selby, his elusiveness and smooth skill helped maintain his record as the IBF featherweight champion evaded him tonight.
After a 14-year career, attention will now turn to whether he should retire.
