Lee Selby digs deep to defend featherweight title against Fernando Montiel
But he survived some scares to take a unanimous points win and retain the IBF strap.
The
win was certainly not as easy as the 119-109, 118-110, 116-112
scorecards suggested as the Welshman had one of the toughest nights of
his career.
Selby said: “My jab, reach and speed were my biggest advantages.
“That was how I got the win.
“I was honestly disappointed in my performance.
I got the win and it was a great feeling to get my first one on US
soil, but the fans didn't see me at my best, and a big part of that was
Montiel's experience. He's a great fighter.”
Selby’s height and reach advantages were huge over the former world champion.
Mexican Montiel had moved up through the weights and initially looked too small for featherweight.
It looked like it would be an easy night for the Welshman, who started the fight in positive fashion.
Selby looked like he could go through the gears in the opening two rounds, but Montiel was not going to be out-boxed.
The
pint-sized puncher started to show his ring knowledge as he was able to
get through Selby’s reach and land some telling shots.
The 60-fight veteran has only
been stopped once in his career and despite moving up in weight, he did
not give Selby an easy night.
Montiel finished the fight strongly and some blistering combinations may not have been powerful but they landed.
It made for a nervy wait while the judges’ scorecards were read out, but the British fighter got the nod.
There were a few boos inside the Gila River Arena in Pheonix about the cards, which were surprisingly wide.
Selby
may not have got to show his best as he had planned on his US debut,
but he will have gained a lot of experience in handing veteran Montiel
his fourth defeat.
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