Rule Britannia results: Lee Selby beats Evgeny Gradovich to win IBF featherweight belt

Lee Selby is the new IBF featherweight titleholder after a win today in London over Evgeny Gradovich, a fight that was cut short a minute into round eight and stopped on doctor's advice due to cuts caused by accidental clashes of heads.

Selby (21-1, 8 KO) boxed effectively from the start, sweeping the first few rounds without question, picking Gradovich (19-1-1, 9 KO) off with shots from the outside, using nice lateral movement to keep Gradovich's plodding pressure in check. The fourth and fifth rounds were a bit more competitive, with Gradovich's swarming style getting through a bit more, though Selby continued landing some solid blows, as well.

But any momentum going Gradovich's way after the fifth was stopped triumphantly by Selby, who had a big sixth round including a shot to the temple that shook Gradovich up and stiffened his legs. The blood started really flowing on Gradovich in round seven, as Selby continued to work away. When the fight was stopped, Gradovich didn't really protest, and looked like a beaten man.

Scores were 79-73, 79-73, and 80-72. BLH had it 78-74 for Selby.