World champ Selby awaits Portsmouth starlet

LUCAS BALLINGALL will continue his fast-track progress sparring with a world champion.
Lucas Ballingall. Picture: Sarah Standing (160916-4574)Lucas Ballingall. Picture: Sarah Standing (160916-4574)
Lucas Ballingall. Picture: Sarah Standing (160916-4574)

Ballingall is travelling to Wales to share the ring with featherweight star Lee Selby ahead of his next contest.

Selby is one of the glamour names of the division with his slick skills seeing him built into one of the sport’s stars.

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Ballingall will once again share the ring with the man from Barry ahead of his clash with Georgia’s Mikheil Soloninkini.

Promoter Steve Goodwin was looking for a meeting with a strong domestic name, but the Portsmouth’s man’s promising reputation made that tough going.

Ballingall said: ‘I’m going up to spar Selby.

‘He’s top class and the best in the world at my weight.

‘I’m lucky and looking forward to it. I won’t get sparring that’s any better than that.

‘I’m going straight to eight rounds but I’m ready for it.

‘I know he’s tough and been in with good names, so it’s a step up.

‘It’s a chance to go for a title in my home city.

‘I’m training full-time and I have a sponsor behind me.

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‘The support has been really good, the training is going well and I’m buzzing about it.’

Cruiserweight Biola Kudus returns to the ring after defeat to Karl Wheeler against Croatia’s Tomislav Rudan.

Rudan has taken Wheeler the distance, and will be a decent yardstick for the Leigh Park man who wants a return with the Peterborough man – and is behind the prospect of a future Fratton Park fight night.

Kudus said: ‘I’m looking forward to winning in Portsmouth in front of my home supporters.

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‘We’re at the club and it’s the togetherness with supporters and the team which carries us through.

‘The club was close to going out of existence, but the fans came together to save it.

‘That’s what you get with boxing, too. We are still the same people who stick together.

‘When I’m not training I go to the games. I’m sure we can get promoted next season.’