Selby Gutted As His Dream Las Vegas Debut Is Called Off

Lee Selby was devastated as his IBF world featherweight title defence in Las Vegas was called off minutes before the weigh in.

The Barry fighter’s opponent – Argentina’s Jonathan Barros – was ruled out on Friday night by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The Commission said Barros did not meet their licensing conditions having failed a medical.

Selby was clearly emotional as he took to the stage to thank fans who has travelled to the United States to see him fight for the first time in boxing’s Mecca.

The 29-year-old said: “I appreciate all your support and I’m sorry you have wasted your time and money coming all this way.

“It is terribly disappointing for me to miss my first fight on this big stage in the Mecca of boxing after training so hard.

“Thank you guys for traveling all the way over here to watch me fight.

“I came here, I prepared well, I made weight but, for some reason, my opponent can’t fight.

“I’m terribly sorry, I’m almost in tears – this was my big stage, my big chance to shine but trust me, I’ll be back.”

Selby’s third title defence – which was due to take place in the early hours of Sunday morning British time – was a curtain raiser for Carl Frampton’s rematch with Mexican Leo Santa Cruz.

The Welsh fighter had hoped to then have a unification bout with Frampton.