Andrew ‘Superstar’ Selby is relishing the prospect of turning Fadhili Majiha’s aggression against him on Saturday night.
The world-class Welshman (12-1, 7 KOs) takes on the Tanzanian (24-13-4, 11 KOs) on a busy #MTKFightNight at Newcastle’s Eagles Community Arena – live on iFL TV.
With the two-time world amateur medalist looking to follow up his spectacular one-round demolition of Worawatchai Boonjan in Dubai earlier this month, confidence is high.
Selby said: “Majiha is very tough and very awkward and he’s fought top-level fighters in the past like Jerwin Ancajas, Neslan Machado and Paul Butler.
“He’ll definitely be coming over here going for the win and when I’m facing someone with ambition, that’s when my boxing gets better and better.
“I’ve got Majiha in front of me now but in general, I’m staying ready for that world title shot. I’ll be ready and waiting when it comes.
“Looking at the champions, I rate the WBO champion Kosei Tanaka but I rate myself as the best.”
Andrew Selby plans to showcase his glorious talent once again
World-class Welshman Andrew Selby has always had endless skill. Now it looks like he’s becoming a devastating finisher, too.
‘Superstar’ (12-1, 7 KOs) served up a reminder of his talent in Dubai last weekend; taking half a round to demolish Worawatchai Boonjan with some dazzling combinations.
Now, as he eyes a quick-fire return on the #MTKFightNight at Newcastle’s Eagle Community Arena on September 28 – live on iFL TV, Selby is eager to continue developing his power.
Selby said: “My power is growing by the day. Against Boonjan, I didn’t even go flat out at the beginning and I would have liked the fight to go longer so I could show my skills.
“I don’t think I’ve ever left world level. If you give me a world title shot right now, you’ll see me come out as the winner.
“I don’t know much about the Newcastle boxing scene but I’m looking forward to fighting there. To be honest, when I’m not training I know nothing about boxing!
“I want to fight often now. That’s when I get better and I’m in a better place than I was before thanks to my coach Danny Chapman. He’s pushed me to love it all again.”
Alongside Selby on a busy night on Tyneside are the likes of former Team GB heavyweight Simon Vallily, world-ranked super-bantamweight Thomas Patrick Ward, highly-rated debutant Blane Hyland, the increasingly popular local hero Joseph Laws and many more.
Durham’s Ward on brink of world title shot
The Durham super-bantamweight (27-0, 4 KOs), who is co-promoted by Salita Promotions, is preparing to serve up a reminder of his undoubted class on Saturday’s #MTKFightNight at Newcastle’s Eagles Community Arena – live on iFL TV.
Back in front of home fans, Ward is eager to take the next step towards global glory and will bid to become just the second man to halt tough Nicaraguan Yesner Talavera (15-10-1, 4 KOs).
Ward said: “I’m ready for any of the world champions. I’d fight any of them any time, any place.
“All those world champions would be good fights for me but I’m really close with the WBO now at No. 4 so we’ll see what happens.
“I’m really looking forward to this show on Saturday night as there are some really good fighters and some really good fighters on the bill.
“The north-east has always had some really good talent. There’ve been some big nights in boxing up here and it’s only going to get better and better.”
Joseph ‘Benwell Bomber’ Laws is a Newcastle starlet going places
Joseph Laws is a rising undefeated star so popular in Newcastle one of his female fans streaked around ringside to mark his last victory.
‘The Benwell Bomber’ (6-0, 3 KOs) is back at the Eagles Community Arena on another #MTKFightNight on September 28 – to be broadcast live on iFL TV.
An effervescent personality, Laws has defied a tragic start to his life – he struggled through a premature birth that resulted in the death of his twin to regain health and become a promising athlete.
Now with a growing fanbase on Tyneside, he’s determined to reach the limits of his potential; wherever they might be.
The 25-year-old Laws said: “I’m just myself all the time. Some fighters stop being themselves when they progress and act like someone they’re not. I won’t be doing that. Whether I’m playing badminton or chess, I’ll always be me.
“Obviously, sometimes that involves doing stupid things. A few people know that I knocked my front teeth out by going down the local theme park ride head first. There are lots of little stories like that and in general, people think I’m a bit crazy.
“I’m already a big ticket-seller but I don’t make any effort to do that – I’m just being me and people seem to like it. Up the north-east!
“These MTK Global shows are huge for the boxing scene here in Newcastle and I can’t want to be part of it again. I just want to be the best I can be – whether that is at domestic level or as world champion. I want to look back and say: ‘I gave it a go.’”
So… will we see a repeat of the celebratory nudity in the crowd that followed his shutout win over Geiboord Omier back in May?
Laws said: “I didn’t actually know the streaker thing was going to happen. I was stood there in the ring after my fight and I was happy to be announced the winner… then I saw that lass running around!
“For me, it was a good bit of publicity! She’s earned herself a free ticket for my next fight.”
Marriage the motivation for Ellis
After a busy few months, the newly-married North East star will hear some different bells when he returns on Saturday’s huge #MTKFightNight in Newcastle.
Unbeaten Ellis (7-0) fights on the massive card at the Eagles Community Arena, live on iFL TV. It is his first bout since his wedding in the summer, and he’s looking forward to stepping back in the ring with even more motivation.
Ellis said: “After a very hectic summer of getting married and having the summer out, all of my drive and dedication is focused on getting back in the ring.
“This has been the best camp of my career yet and I’ve had some top class sparring all over the country which has been a brilliant experience.
“The Eagles Community Arena is the best venue I have ever boxed in and the atmosphere that was created at the last show was next to none, so I can’t wait for it to be bigger and better this time.”
A huge card in Newcastle also features world-ranked Thomas Patrick Ward, flyweight star Andrew Selby, heavyweight Simon Valily, the always-exciting Joe Laws, unbeaten duo Darren Reay and Adam Gair, plus many more.