Joel Brunker for World featherweight title eliminator

[AntonS]

Rated inside the top 15 of all four major sanctioning bodies, and #3 with the IBF, the immediate future of Joel Brunker became much clearer with Friday's official announcement from the New Jersey offices of the IBF.

Officially named as the highest available contender for the next elimination bout in the featherweight division, the announcement places 'Aussie Joel' and Lee Selby from Wales in the same ring to contest the final eliminator for the #1 rating and mandatory position. Brunker carries an unbeaten 27-0 record, whilst Selby (19-1) is currently ranked #6 with the IBF. Selby will be best known in Australia for his 5th round TKO win over Corey McConnell for the Commonwealth title in mid-2013.

Its been a frustrating wait for  Brunker having last fought in August 2013, coupled with a change of management and promotional team. Regarded as being one of the most committed and hardest trainers in the country, Brunker has been patiently waiting and training. "This is the fight I've been looking towards for the last 6 years since turning professional." said Brunker on being told of the announcement, going on to say "Its been a while since my last fight, but I've been working hard and my training has been really solid. We've changed a couple of little things and I'm ready to go, ready to win and ready to show I belong at a world level. I've always said I'm happy to travel and fight anyone in the world. My supporters and team have been waiting a while for this chance and I'll be 100% ready when that opening bell rings".

"This I a great fight for Joel, a great opportunity on the world level but also a hard and challenging fight" said manager Adam Wilcock from FightCard Promotions. "We've been working on a number of different options for Joel and this is without doubt the best result possible. What we do know is that Joel will be in one corner for this eliminator, we are hoping to tidy up the final details pretty quickly. When Joel wins this fight he will go onto fight for the IBF World title later in the year, but we'll be taking one fight at a time."

USA based co-promoter Greg Cohen was typically upbeat about the announcement "Joel is another Australian who has shown that he's got what it takes to make it at the very top level. He's fought in the States twice already and is happy to take the big fights. This guy really has it, he's tough, strong and super fit. This is just the beginning of big things for Joel Brunker. I've been excited about Joel for a long time and this partnership between FightCard Promotions and GCP will showcase yet another talented Australian boxer to the world".

Final details of the elimination fight will be released as soon as completed.

In the biggest fight of his career, if anyone wishes to join Joel on his journey and support in any way possible, please contact Adam by calling 1300FIGHTS

[bogan whisperer]

Less than a week out til undefeated Joel Brunker takes on Lee Selby in the UK. Huge fight for young Joel.

[The Raw Prawn]

Brunker has been inactive for over 12 months.
In the same period Selby has had 4 fights for 4 wins with 42 rounds boxed.
The Welshman should be too sharp for Brunker.
Selby by wide points.

[Like a Boss]

Big test for Joel Brunker. Undefeated so far. But this is his acid test.

[DA GOOSE]

Big fight for one of the nicest guys in boxing.

http://www.aus-boxing.com/2014/10/01/jo ... er-for-me/

Joel Brunker – “The stakes have never been higher for me”
brunker1


WHILE the odds are undoubtedly stacked against him, unbeaten ‘Aussie’ Joel Brunker knows he has nothing to lose ahead of his IBF featherweight title final eliminator against Lee Selby on October 12th (AEST).


“Ever since I turned professional, all I have thought about was fighting for a world title,” said Brunker in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “This is the fight that can make that all come true.”


If Brunker, 28, is able to upset the odds and defeat the favoured Selby, 27, on foreign soil at London’s O2 Arena, he will secure the mandatory position by the IBF, which will in turn guarantee him a shot at Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich at some point next year.


Having had several high-profile fights fall through, most notably two attempts at once-reigning WBA featherweight champion Chris John, Brunker understands what is at stake in a fight that will set up his future if he is able to return home victorious.


Brunker (27-0, 15 KOs) has spent a handful of weeks in New York, seeking the best training facilities as well as the best sparring partners available as he looks to find himself in prime condition for the twelve-round fight with Selby (19-1, 7 KOs).


“I have been training the house down, so I am going in feeling well prepared for the fight and I’m ready to give it everything I have.”


“Selby is a quality fighter and I need competitive sparring to get me ready for what he is literally going to be throwing at me,” Brunker continued. “I have been sparring a variety of different style fighters, which my team feels will help me prepare best for Selby and his style of fighting.”


Brunker’s team, lead by manager Adam Wilcock of Fightcard Promotions, have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the year to secure a marquee fight for the talented New South Welshman. This is something that is not lost on Brunker, who speaks with great appreciation about both his manager and his team in general.


“My team are vitally important and I understand that without them I wouldn’t have this opportunity.” he said. “If I beat Selby, it will easily be the biggest and most important win of my career,”


“This fight is against the toughest opponent I have had to date, in his own back yard and it is for a guaranteed shot at the title. The stakes have never been higher for me and I am going in there to do everything I can to make sure I come home with a win.”


While he is confident of his chances, Brunker is equally respectful in both his assessment of Selby and his evaluation of the fight from both his own point of view and that of his opponent as well.


“The way I see it all the pressure is on Selby, not me. I am the underdog in this fight, but I like that,” Brunker explained. “I am feeling relaxed about the fight and I feel having the pressure off me will make me perform even better.”


Despite the looming chaos that awaits for him in London, Brunker remains level-headed going into the biggest fight of his career. And while a shot at an ever elusive world title fight is only one win away, Brunker is determined and focused on one thing and one thing only – a win over Lee Selby.


“I am trying not to think about a world title fight too much,” Brunker said in closing. “I am staying focused on my training and being in the best possible condition for fight night.”

GO JOEL Selby is a big test but didn't look great on the Rees-Buckland undercard when I last seen him.

[Like a Boss]

Brunker stopped at the end of the 9th. First career loss. Moves to 27-1.

[bogan whisperer]

By all reports Brunker was courageous in defeat and took some big shots along the way.

[Giancarlo]

Just watched it.

Brunker totally outclassed.

[Like a Boss]

Have watched a replay. Selby far too good. But Brunker just kept coming at him gamely until Selby ground him to a complete standstill.

[Grant]

Think its another BS padded record? Australia is good at that