MERSEYSIDE ACE JOE SELKIRK SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH FRANK WARREN AND TARGETS WORLD TITLE

Super-talented Liverpool light-middleweight Joe Selkirk is now on course to challenge for a world title after signing a new promotional deal with Frank Warren.

The undefeated 29-year-old next fights on the huge Echo Arena show on Saturday 18th April on the undercard of Derry Mathews’s challenge for the WBA World Lightweight Championship against Richar Abril, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

On the talent-packed Merseyside fight scene, the ex-Rotunda star is regarded as the most naturally gifted boxer to emerge from the big-fight city in recent years, but has only shown glimpses of his true potential because of inactivity due to hand injuries.

He captured the WBO European crown in his last fight against Zoltan Sera with a powerful performance in December 2013 to take his record to 12-0-0 with 6 KO’s and a career high number eight world ranking in the WBO.

After injuring his right hand in the fight, Selkirk underwent an operation that has seen him out of the ring, but now back at the fantastic MGM training facility in Marbella he’s fit and ready to make his long awaited return in an eight-round contest against Yuri Pompilio.  The tough Spaniard, who extended Adam Etches over six rounds and Liam Williams to eight rounds, will be a good test for Selkirk.

Selkirk now aims to continue where he left off with hard-hitting performances, but this time maintain a consistent level of activity in his march towards a world title fight in a star packed division currently ruled by Floyd Mayweather (WBC), Demetrius Andrade (WBO), Cornelius Bundrage (IBF) and Erislandy Lara (WBA).

“I just can’t wait to get back in the ring and fight again and I’m over the moon to have signed with Frank Warren who is by far and away the best in the business,” Selkirk enthused.

“Frank has done a fantastic job with my career, he delivered to me the opportunities and world ranking, and I believe that this time we can achieve that again and go even further,”

“Unfortunately, because of the injuries, I couldn’t keep the fight momentum going which was very frustrating, because I know I’ve got the talent and I should have got further by now, but following the hand surgery I feel fantastic again and I’m desperate to get back in the ring and fight, if I could fight every day I would!”

“With the great team at the MGM also backing me, I believe that for once I’ve got a clear road ahead of me to focus on just training and fighting and I know that now you’ll start seeing the best of Joe Selkirk,”

“It’s a great period in the 154lbs division at the moment domestically with British Champion Liam Smith and Commonwealth Champ Liam Williams and on the world stage with Mayweather, Andrade, Bundrage and Lara,”  

“Realistically, in a few more fights, I know that I could handle the likes of Lara and Bundrage or even Andrade, they are my targets that I’ve set and in my next few fights I’ll have to prove that I’m ready for them.”

“My fans are desperate to see me fight again and this time it’s the journey towards the world title.” 

Warren added, “I’ve always believed in Joe and I’m delighted that he’s signed a new deal with me and he begins his return on Saturday 18th April at the Liverpool Echo Arena.  The momentum was a problem last time, but now that he’s sorted out his hand and has focussed on the road ahead in his career, I will aim to deliver him the opportunities and get back to where he should be.”

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Tickets for the Echo Arena show are available from the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or echoarena.com and Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or eventim.co.uk

BoxNation will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 525.  Subscribe at www.boxnation.com  Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.