Lindsay Can't Wait To Face Selby

Martin Lindsay is desperate to get at Lee Selby as they finally meet for the British featherweight title at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on February 9.

The pair were due to meet on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s clash with Steve Molitor in September but Selby was forced to pull out on the morning of the fight after falling ill overnight.

Lindsay did box on the night against lightweight Renald Garrido, overcoming the disappointment to get eight rounds under his belt against the tough Frenchman. They were valuable rounds for the 30 year old who feels ready to rip the title from Selby to make up for the frustration of the autumn.

“I was extremely disappointed that the last one had to be cancelled but he was sick and there is nothing you can do about that,” said Lindsay. “I got offered an alternative fight that night and I took it because I had sold a lot of tickets.

“This fight has been in the pipeline since last summer when the first one was announced so it is good for it to finally be happening now.

“I wanted to fight for the British title again and it didn’t bother me if it was going to be Selby or not. The board made me mandatory so whether he gave it up or whether he was going to face me, I knew I was getting a shot at the British title and that was the main thing.

“It was good to get that eight rounder in. I had never boxed at the Odyssey before and it is always great to fight in front of your home fans. I am looking forward to fighting there again and the bill is shaping up really well now so I am looking forward to fighting there again.

“I was on towards the end of the night last time because of the change of opponent but it was a great atmosphere, you could feel it. Everyone was excited about the fight and I with the publicity that this one has generated everybody is getting excited again about big fights coming over to Ireland, and hopefully everything goes well.”

Lindsay is gunning to get a belt around his waist for the first time since he held the British that he surrendered in December 2010 to John Simpson. Selby is four years younger than Lindsay and the Welshman believes his youth could be a factor – something the hometown challenger dismisses.

“I spar and train with young fighters every day of the week and I feel as fresh as anything and I am a young 30,” said Lindsay. “I haven’t been in too many wars. I am completely fresh.

“He probably could be under estimating me. He knocked out John Simpson, who has a victory over me, so he is probably going back on previous. But that doesn’t really count for anything; I have beaten Derry Mathews and Paul Appleby who had both beaten Simpson. Maybe if he is going on records he may underestimate me a little.

“Selby is right up there with all the opponents I have fought. He is a top fighter, I have watched him and I have seen his strengths and also some of his weaknesses. He isn’t British and Commonwealth champion for nothing, he has defeated some good fighters; Stephen Smith, Simpson, so I need to bring my A game on the night and I am training hard for it.”

January 16, 2013