Andrew Selby reveals his joy after securing a place in the Great Britain squad for the Olympics on Saturday, although in a somewhat anti-climactic. 22-year-old was scheduled to face fellow class Khalid Yafai both of their best of three squares-off attack at York Hall won the first contest here on Friday, but was instead handed a walkover after failing to make weight Yafai.
Selby's 2-0 victory means he has become the fifth Boxer United Kingdom man to qualify for next year's games, with victories capping off an incredible year for the Welshman. Won gold at the European Amateur championships this summer, he then secured a silver medal at the World Championships in Baku last month, losing to Russia Misha Aloyan, the world's No1 in the 52 kg, with only one point.
Take a look at the Selby gold will automatically qualify for the Olympics. Instead, he had to face in the deciding contest Yafai is unprecedented. Considering how close he came to defeat Aloyan, Selby was unhappy at having to compete in a box-off, but now feel Justice has been done, especially considering he won his battle to convince the first 26-12.
"I am happy to have qualified, it was a fantastic feeling," Selby said. "Like I've qualified twice given what I do in the world, but I'm glad it's all over and I can now focus on the Olympics. I note this year has been great and if I keep my form so I can definitely take a medal next year.
Selby also expressed "disappointment" to Yafai, an old friend. Birmingham fighter, also 22, delayed turning professional after reaching the round of 16 at the Beijing Olympics due to his desire to compete in the Olympics either. He injured his left hand in the fight Friday and after undergoing treatment for tension, not being able to do the work necessary to release fitness load an additional 0.3 kg. He is now expected to change in the new year, possibly in the bantamweight.