By Alexey Sukachev

O2 Arena, London - Evgeny Gradovich's IBF championship reign came to an end minutes ago, as mandatory challenger Lee Selby of Wales showed character, class and skills, winning a technical decision over eight rounds. A question, however, was raised whether it was enough to get a major victory under somewhat controversial fight-ending circumstances. It was answered positively by a panel of judges, who scored it 80-72 and 79-73 (twice) in favor of the once-defeated Selby. BoxingScene disagrees with the outcome, scoring the fight dead even at 76-76.

IBF #1 and TBRB #8 Selby (21-1, 8 KOs) walked the entire road to a world title shot, getting titles at every stage possible and winning an IBF final eliminator against Joel Brunker with a TKO. Gradovich, aged 28 equally to Selby, was making the fifth defense of the title he won in April 2013 with an upset decision over Billy Dib.

Selby started fast, utilizing lateral movement against the slugging Mexican Russian, doing his best to avoid hooks of Gradovich. He did a finer job in the first round with his right counters, though he was also hit by left hooks of Evgeny a couple of times. Gradovich improved his game in the second to arguably get an edge in that round. Round three was close but one, who weighs in all the options, is obliged to award it to the Welshman, who was also enjoying hometown advantage. In the fourth, however, Gradovich finally tagged Selby several times and tagged him around the ring.

Round five was clearly Gradovich's, who hurt his opponent several times with his punches, both single and in combos. Oppositely, Selby upped his game tremendously in the sixth taking a clear lead and rocking Gradovich several times, specifically with uppercuts and hooks. It was the best round for either boxer in the fight, adding to that impression was a cut at the side of Gradovich's cheek, right near his right eye - as a result of accidental headbutt.

Evgeny, however, valiantly fought back and possibly took the seventh. However, Sky Sports TV crew had it 59-55, coming into the seventh, which was way off the mark but (as was later discovered closer to the judges' scorecards).

In the eighth, Selby looked better during the first minute when referee Dwayne Duarte asked ringside physician for an examination when a second cut opened up around the left eye of Gradovich. The doctor stopped the fight and sent it to the cards. Gradovich's cut didn't look that bad but it didn't matter. Time of stoppage was exactly 1:00 of the eighth round. Gradovich's record worsens to 19-1-1, 9 KOs.