Selby's #1 ranking by AIBA meant he was seeded and was given a bye through the first round of the Olympic tournament. His first bout came against Ilyas Suliemenov of Kazakhstan, a stiff test for the Welshman, but one that he passed with relative ease, prevailing 19:15. In the quarterfinal Selby was pitted against the exciting young Cuban Robeisy Ramirez. He fell short to the eventual gold medalist 16:11, preventing Selby from earning a medal.[1]
WSB
Selby competed in the 2012–13 World Series of Boxing season, representing the British Lionhearts. He boxed six times during his debut season in the WSB, remaining unbeaten throughout.
His first contest of the tournament was a home tie against Daniele Limone of the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales.[2] Selby outclassed the Italian and won every round on all three judges' score-cards.
2014 Commonwealth Games
Selby entered the games as gold medal favourite in the 52 kg Flyweight category, but lost his preliminary contest by a unanimous decision to 19-year-old Scottish boxer Reece McFadden. McFadden won the first round, and Selby took the second to have it all square going into the final round. Selby, however, was docked 2 points in round 3 for his gumshield repeatedly coming out, and as a result, would have needed a stoppage to win. The 3 judges' scorecards read 29:26 at the end in favour of the Scot.
Professional boxing career
Andrew Selby made his professional debut on 30 October 2015 against Tanzanian Haji Juma in Newport, Wales. Selby stopped Juma 2 minutes into the fourth round. Selby claimed he will be ready for a shot at a world title after just 10 professional bouts. Selby won his second professional fight with a second-round stoppage of unbeaten Hungarian Jozsef Ajtai. "I thought we was going to come steaming in at me because he was a smaller guy but as soon as I landed a jab he knew I was too strong for him," said Selby.[3] Selby went the distance for the first time in his third fight against Everth Briceño. Nevertheless, Selby comfortably outpointed his opponent.
After another win, Selby fought Shepshed-based Louis Norman for the BBBofC British flyweight title. Norman had previously held the English flyweight title. Selby cruised to a unanimous decision win (120-109, 120-109, 119-110)[4] Selby won the IBF Inter-Continental flyweight title against Jake Bornea with a seventh round technical knockout. Selby claimed another minor title, the WBC International title, with a points victory (100-90, 100-90, 100-90) over journeyman Ardin Diale. Selby was scheduled to defend his British title against Kevin Satchell on 2016, but Satchell withdrew from the fight.[5][6]
On 26 May 2017, Selby first touched the canvas against Cristofer Rosales. Rosales dropped Selby at the start of the fight. The Welsh boxer would recover and outwork Rosales to earn a unanimous decision (119-108, 118-109, 118-109). With the win, Selby became the mandatory challenger to WBC champion Daigo Higa. After the fight, Selby declared "I want to make money in life, so that is why I fight. At least I am honest. I've got a chance because I will be fighting for a world title. Who likes getting punched in the face? I don't. I just like the cheques."[7]
Selby picked up another win on 7 October 2017 against Maximino Flores. The fight was characterized by both fighters showboating and Selby standing still for certain periods, which allowed Flores to hit him. Both fighters landed significant punches but were unable to hurt each other. As the fight went on, Selby's better technique and sharper work allowed him to outbox Flores and win a unanimous decision (119-109, 117-111, 117-112).[8]
After a year-long layoff, Selbt returned to the ring with a dominant second round TKO win over Adam Yahaya. Selby unloaded a barrage of shots on his opponent near the end of the second round, which prompted the referee to end the fight with 12 seconds left to go in the round.[9]
In his next fight, Selby traveled to Mexico to face Julio Cesar Martinez, in a WBC eliminator, with the winner facing WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards. Selby was ranked #1 by the WBC, as well as #8 by the WBO and #9 by the IBF, while Martinez was ranked #2 by the WBC.[10] In the fifth round, Selby reached in to throw a straight right, but was met with two uppercuts and a left hook which sent Selby straight to the canvas. Selby wasn't able to beat the count and Martinez was awarded the victory.[11]
On 15 November 2019, Selby vacated the British flyweight title.[12]
Personal life
Andrew Selby is the younger brother of former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby.
