Selby Confident Of Putting On A Show In Las Vegas And Bringing Featherweight Crown Back To Wales

Lee Selby has vowed to bring the title back to Wales when he defends his IBF world featherweight crown in Las Vegas.

The Barry fighter will make his Vegas bow when he defends the title against Jonathan Victor Barros.

Selby will fight on the undercard of the eagerly-awaited rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz at the MGM Grand on January 28.

It will be the 29-year-old’s first fight in 10 months since he beat Eric Hunter of the USA and only his second fight outside of the UK.

But he is relishing the chance to fight in boxing’s mecca as he bids to take a huge step towards a unification bout with WBA champion Frampton.

Selby said: “I’ve seen U.K. fighters like Lennox Lewis, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan box in Las Vegas, and I always knew that’s where I wanted to fight.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young kid to box in a world title fight in Las Vegas, the Mecca of boxing.

“My No. 1 objective is to bring my world title back to Wales.”

But Selby insists he will not take mandatory challenger Barros lightly with his 32-year-old opponent having fought in six world title fights.

He added: ”My mandatory challenger is experienced, dangerous and I will not take him lightly.

“I’ve had a strong training camp, and I am 100 percent focused on putting on a show for the American fans and the travelling fans from the U.K.”

Argentine Barros warned, however, “I’m very excited for this opportunity to compete for another world title in Las Vegas.

“I have worked hard to put myself in this position and I am going to make the most of it.

“Selby has never faced anyone as dangerous as me and I plan on making it a long night for him. I am going to become another Argentine world champion and bring the title back to my country.”
Selby, who has won his last 19 bouts, became world champion in May 2015 after a technical decision win over Evgeny Gradovich.

He has gone on to defend the belt with unanimous points wins over Fernando Montiel and Hunter.