Lee Selby is a retired Welsh professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2022. He is best known for holding the IBF featherweight title from 2015 to 2018. Selby became one of the most recognized Welsh boxers throughout his career, earning respect for his technical skills, speed, and ring intelligence.
Here we have Lee Selby’s net worth, earnings, fight purse, achievements, boxing record, and more.
Lee Selby’s Biography
| Full Name | Lee Selby |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 14, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Barry, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Height | 5’8″ (1.73 m) |
| Weight Class | Featherweight, Lightweight |
| Reach | 69 inches (175 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
Lee Selby was born in Barry, Wales on February 14, 1987. Known for his fluid movement and sharp boxing ability, Selby started his professional career in 2008 and quickly gained a reputation in British boxing.
He is often regarded as one of the best featherweights out of Wales.
Professional Career
Selby made his professional debut on July 12, 2008, against Sid Razak, securing a four-round points decision. He gained early momentum in his career, claiming the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles in 2011.
A turning point in his career came when he won the Lonsdale Belt, becoming the British featherweight champion.
In 2015, Selby reached the pinnacle of his career by capturing the IBF featherweight title in a fight against Evgeny Gradovich. Selby dominated the contest, winning by technical decision after an accidental head clash caused a cut on Gradovich.
His reign as IBF champion solidified his reputation, with several successful title defenses against top contenders like Fernando Montiel and Eric Hunter.
In 2018, Selby lost his IBF title to Josh Warrington in a major upset in Leeds, UK.
His last significant fight came in 2021 when he lost a majority decision to George Kambosos Jr. in an IBF lightweight eliminator bout. Following his defeat, Selby decided to hang up his gloves in 2022.
Achievements
- British and Commonwealth featherweight champion (2011)
- IBF featherweight world champion (2015–2018)
Lee Selby’s Net Worth Details
Lee Selby’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025. He had a successful boxing career, earning significant purses from his title fights and major bouts.
His earnings peaked during his IBF featherweight title reign and his defense against top fighters. His fight against Josh Warrington in 2018 and his bout against George Kambosos Jr. contributed substantially to his financial gains.
Fight Purse
| Fight | Opponent | Date | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBF title vs. Josh Warrington | Josh Warrington | May 19, 2018 | $500,000 |
| IBF title defense vs. Montiel | Fernando Montiel | October 14, 2015 | $350,000 |
| IBF eliminator vs. Kambosos | George Kambosos Jr. | October 31, 2020 | $300,000 |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $1.5 million |
| 2021 | $2 million |
| 2022 | $2.5 million |
| 2023 | $2.8 million |
| 2024 | $3 million |
Endorsements
Throughout his career, Selby secured endorsement deals with major brands such as Everlast and sports nutrition companies.
Professional Boxing Records
| 32 fights | 28 wins | 4 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 9 | 1 |
| By decision | 19 | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Lee Selby?
Lee Selby is a retired Welsh professional boxer born on February 14, 1987, in Barry, Wales. He is best known for holding the IBF featherweight world title from 2015 to 2018. Over his career, he also won British, Commonwealth, and European titles and retired in 2022 with a record of 28 wins and 4 losses.
2. What are Lee Selby’s major achievements in boxing?
Lee Selby’s major achievements include winning the IBF featherweight world title in 2015 by defeating Evgeny Gradovich. He successfully defended the title five times. He also held the British, Commonwealth, and European featherweight titles earlier in his career and won the prestigious Lonsdale Belt outright.
3. When did Lee Selby retire from professional boxing?
Lee Selby retired from professional boxing in April 2022 after a loss to Gustavo Daniel Lemos in an IBF lightweight eliminator. He announced his retirement after a 14-year career that spanned both amateur and professional boxing.
4. What was Lee Selby’s boxing style and physical profile?
Lee Selby fought with an orthodox stance and was known for his technical skills, fluid movement, and sharp counterpunching. He stood at 5’8” (173 cm) with a reach of 69 inches (175 cm), competing primarily in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
5. What is Lee Selby’s professional boxing record?
Lee Selby ended his professional career with a record of 28 wins (9 by knockout) and 4 losses. His notable victories include fights against Evgeny Gradovich, Fernando Montiel, and Ricky Burns. His losses include bouts against Josh Warrington and George Kambosos Jr.
6. How did Lee Selby become a world champion?
Lee Selby became a world champion on May 30, 2015, when he defeated Evgeny Gradovich via technical decision to claim the IBF featherweight title. The fight was stopped after an accidental head clash caused a cut on Gradovich, with Selby leading on the scorecards.
7. Who were some of Lee Selby’s toughest opponents?
Some of Lee Selby’s toughest opponents included Josh Warrington, who defeated him to take the IBF featherweight title in 2018, George Kambosos Jr., who beat him in a lightweight eliminator in 2020, and Gustavo Daniel Lemos, who handed him his final career loss in 2022.
8. What challenges did Lee Selby face during his career?
Lee Selby faced challenges such as extreme weight cuts during his time as a featherweight champion, which affected his performance. He also dealt with personal tragedies, including the passing of his mother and brother during his career, which deeply impacted him emotionally.
9. Who trained Lee Selby throughout his career?
Lee Selby was trained by Tony Borg throughout his professional career. Borg played a crucial role in developing Selby’s technical skills and guiding him to multiple titles, including the IBF featherweight world championship.
10. What legacy does Lee Selby leave behind?
Lee Selby is remembered as one of Wales’ most accomplished boxers, being the 12th Welshman to win a world title. His journey from small hall shows to becoming a world champion serves as an inspiration for aspiring boxers. He emphasized hard work, discipline, and financial prudence during his career.
