Former UK world champion set for fighting return after four years out

A former British world champion is set for an unexpected return to combat sports after nearly four years away away from boxing.

After a lull period, the UK is once again home to many male world champions, with Fabio Wardley, Dalton Smith, Josh Kelly, Jazza Dickens and Lewis Crocker all holding gold, though Nick Ball did lose his WBA belt on Saturday.

There is still a long way to go to match the heights from around a decade ago, where at one stage there were 14 world champions, one of them being Lee Selby, who held the IBF featherweight crown.

Selby lost his belt after a defeat to Josh Warrington, and after further losses to George Kambosos and Gustavo Lemos, the Welshman last competed in March 2022.

At 38-years-old, he is now set for a comeback, announced today that he has signed a multi-fight deal with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.

The organisation is already home to former world champions Paulie Malignaggi and Yuriorkis Gamboa, and Selby revealed he is now looking to reach the top once again.

“I’ve achieved everything in gloved boxing – from regional titles to defending my world title five times. Now, bare knuckle is calling. It’s the original, no-filter version of boxing, and I’m excited to bring my speed, skill, and experience to BKB. I’m here to win another world title and show why I’m still one of the best.”

Details on when Selby will be making his debut in BKB Bare Knuckle are expected to be announced soon.