Wales boxing star Andrew Selby suffers shock defeat

The world number one from Barry, who trains with Tony Borg at St Joes in Newport, was the favourite to win gold in the 52kg category.

But his Commonwealth Games misery goes on. After missing out on a medal at Delhi 2010, Selby was beaten by unanimous decision by home favourite Reece McFadden.

The Scot triumphed 29-26 on all three of the judge’s scorecard and Selby, who was deducted two points for his gumshield repeatedly fell onto the canvas, is on his way home

“Everything went wrong in the third round,” said Selby. “As soon as the bell went everything went out of the window.

“We knew he was going to run away and try to outbox me because usually I’m on the back foot but I lost the first round, came back in the second and then the gumshield kept coming out.

“I caught it the third time but he took a point off me and then he took another one and I lost it then.”

Selby admits that McFadden, backed by a noisy home crowd, deserved to win but he bemoaned his bad luck with the gumshield.

“I had it specially made in Sheffield and I’ve worn it every tournament I’ve been to in the last four years,” said the 25-year-old.

“It’s never come out even in sparring so I don’t know what it was.

“I had pressure on me because I’m boxing for Wales but I didn’t think I’d lose this fight,” he added.

“Maybe he just took me by surprise but he deserved the win.

“I thought I was coming back but the gumshield let me down.

“As soon as the points went away from me I was rushing in, I got caught and the fight went away from me.

“I thought I’d win it comfortably but it wasn’t my day.

“I’m in the best shape of my life so I don’t know what went wrong. I can’t explain it really.”

The defeat is another big blow for Welsh boxing after Fred Evans and Ashley Brace were both barred from competing in Glasgow.

Selby added: “I was gutted for Fred but I just came here for myself and to box for Wales. It was a bad day.”