By Elliot Foster
Lee Selby is set to return next month.
The IBF featherweight champion has had rotten luck so far this year after his US debut was canned at the 11th hour.
Selby (23-1, 8 KOs) had been set to make the third defence of his crown against Jonathan Victor Barros, his mandatory, on January 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
But the clash, which was set to be aired on Showtime in the States as part of the supporting cast to Carl Frampton’s defeat at the hands of Leo Santa Cruz for the WBA ‘Super’ featherweight world title, had to be scrapped after Barros (41-4-1, 22 KOs) failed the medical tests to be granted a license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
As a result, the IBF will allow the Welshman, 30, to have a non-title fight.
"While the situation with Barros gets clarified the IBF has agreed to allow Selby to fight a non-title bout above the weight limit," the Federation said in a statement.
Boxing Scene understands that Selby’s next fight will land on the undercard of David Haye’s heavyweight showdown against Liverpool’s Tony Bellew on March 4, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, at the O2 Arena in London.
An official announcement is expected in due course.
