Lee Selby fancies world title 'tear-up' with Eric Hunter

Lee Selby has 22 wins from 23 professional contests

Lee Selby says his IBF featherweight title defence against American Eric Hunter on Saturday could be a war.

Hunter, the mandatory challenger, questioned the Welshman's self-belief before their bout at London's O2 Arena.

But Selby, who is known for his slick boxing skills, replied: "I'm told to box all the time but when it comes down to it, I'd love to have a tear-up.

"If he wants to box, we can box. But if he wants to stand and fight, we can fight instead."

Selby, 29, won the IBF belt last May and his fight against Hunter will be his second defence. The Barry boxer has 22 wins from 23 professional contests, including eight knockouts.

Philadelphian Hunter, also 29, has 21 wins from 24 pro contests, with 11 knockouts. Two of his defeats came by way of disqualification.

Also on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's heavyweight world title challenge against Charles Martin, George Groves continues his rehabilitation with a fight against unheralded Scotsman David Brophy.

Groves recently joined forces with trainer Shane McGuigan after losing three world title tilts

Groves followed two unsuccessful world title tilts against Carl Froch with a defeat by WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack last September.

But the 28 year old stopped Andrea di Luisa in five rounds in January, his first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan.

"You're a product of your peers," said Groves, who is gym-mates with super-bantamweight world champion Carl Frampton and former heavyweight world champion David Haye.

"If you're rubbing shoulders with elite-level fighters, world champions, and hungry people who want to succeed, it's going to rub off on you.

"It would obviously be much better to have a few fights with Shane before I'm back in the mix for a world title, or a world title eliminator.

"But at the same time we're doing well and will be ready for whenever they come."

Liverpool's Callum Smith, who won the European title last weekend, is Jack's mandatory challenger and is expected to fight for a world title before Groves.

Also on the bill is Jamie McDonnell's WBA bantamweight defence against Mexico's Fernando Vargas.

And in a make-or-break middleweight contest, Birmingham's former world title challenger Matt Macklin takes on Blackpool's former world title challenger Brian Rose.