LEE SELBY swapped “hanging around and drinking lager” for winning world titles – and now celebrates his victories by eating cheesecake.
That’s according to his coach Tony Borg, who can see nothing other than a win for his man this weekend when he defends his IBF featherweight world title against Josh Warrington.
Selby will head into the fight as big favourite, despite Warrington having home advantage at Elland Road, venue to the football club he loves, Leeds United.
And Borg, who has worked with Selby for the last ten years after his dad brought him into St Joseph’s gym in Newport “to look after him”, says the Welshman will not be overawed.
And it’s hardly surprising considering the journey Selby has taken.
Borg said: “Lee came from an area where kids hung around doing nothing, drinking lager.
“He told me he didn’t do circuits. He just wanted to punch the bag, spar his brother Andrew then go home. No hard graft.
“Among my small squad, Lee came sixth or seventh in the ground work drills but he dug in deep and within nine months had pulled himself to the front of the pack.
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“Now he can’t wait to get to the gym. He loves his training.
“It’s a fact that he’s not drunk alcohol since he had a bottle of lager to celebrate defending his Commonwealth title against an African in Newport six years ago.
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“Now he celebrates his title wins eating cheesecake.”
The Welsh boxer has been labelled as “cocky” by some critics, and has often coasted through fights when it seemed he still had more levels to work through.
But Borg says the 31-year-old is a master of his craft and simply knows how to win.
He added: “Believe me, Lee is anything but cocky. He’s pretty serious, very laid-back.
“However, in the changing room for an hour before he fights, he becomes very ‘edgy’, a bag of nerves, constantly repeating himself, doubting himself.
“Then when the call comes to fight, when the lights go on and the music starts, he completely changes.
“Suddenly, he’s in the ‘zone’, buzzing with confidence, a true gladiator. He just looks cocky.
“And he’s going to thrive on walking out at Elland Road to all the hostility. He can’t wait. He loves attention.
“He always trains hard but if a stranger walks into our gym he instantly ups his game to impress.”
Selby is 1/4 with most bookies to retain his world title, with Warrington the 3/1 outsider.
And this is just about fair according to Borg.
He added: “Lee wins because he’s super strong and extremely naturally gifted. He’s got the speed, accuracy and movement to sting Warrington.”
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