IBF world featherweight king Lee Selby was too good for Mexican Eduardo Ramirez at London’s Copper Box Arena, with the St Joseph’s star securing a unanimous points victory on Saturday night.

A 118-110, 119-109, 116-112 verdict gave Selby a 26th success in 27 professional outings and set him up nicely for a defence of his title against mandatory challenger Josh Warrington.

Selby would still have been champion even if he had lost in the capital after the previously unbeaten Ramirez failed to make the weight.

And while Ramirez showed his toughness and didn’t look like being stopped, he was not in the same class as the 30-year-old Welshman, who is eyeing the division’s big names.

“I thought it was a decent performance against very tough and game Mexican fighter who is unbeaten and comes from a great stable,” said Selby.

“They probably knew the tactics because I fought the cornerman’s brother, Fernando Montiel, so they knew me inside out.

“They knew what to expect and they sent him in there with the best game plan possible.”

Warrington, who was at ringside, added: “He got the job done. He did what he needed to do.

“He started off really well, looked class for the first four rounds, and then allowed Ramirez to get back into it a little bit.

“He sat on the ropes a little bit too long and was missing with a lot more as well.

“He was trying to put a lot of power into every shot and that’s when he was missing and getting caught with counters.”

Promoter Frank Warren confirmed after the bout that Selby’s showdown with Warrington, expected for next spring, will take place in Leeds, almost certainly at Elland Road.

“It’s a massive fight,” said Selby. “Josh Warrington has earned the mandatory position, so to get there he has to be a good fighter.

“We’ve exchanged words in the past but a fight between Josh and I would be massive and fantastic for British boxing.”

Victory for Selby in Londo came at the end of a testing year for the Welshman.

His dream fight in Las Vegas in January was called off late on when opponent Jonathan Barros failed a medical.

And then just days before the two finally got it on in the summer, Selby's mother Frankie passed away.