ST JOSEPH’S star Lee Selby made if five wins in as many fights at the O2 Arena with a ninth-round stoppage of Andoni Gago after nearly a year out of the ring.

Five weeks on from the disappointment of seeing his IBF world featherweight crown defence against Jonathan Barros in Las Vegas called off, Selby was always in total control of the non-title bout.

Spaniard Gago offered little as Barry-born Selby, 30, eased to a 24th victory in 25 professional outings, the first since April 2016 when he outpointed American Eric Hunter, also at the O2.

After despatching Gago, Selby again expressed his desire to face Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton.

“I want Frampton but I respect him massively,” he said. “If you asked him, I think he’d say the same.

“We won’t make any headlines or flip tables. We respect each other and we’re both excellent fighters, we don’t need to trash talk. Our skills will sell the fight.”

As for his display in London tonight, he added: “It was a decent performance.

“Gago was a very tough guy and took some real stick. I got a few rounds under my belt.

“The trainer said to up the pace and get him out of there.”

Tonight’s fight, played out in front of a half-full arena early on the undercard of the David Haye-Tony Bellew grudge match, was Selby’s last with promoters Matchroom Sport.