BARRY boxer Lee Selby will defend his featherweight title in the early hours of tomorrow morning (Thursday October 15) in a stateside showdown with Mexican veteran Fernando Montiel.

Selby, 28, will take on the former three-weight world champion in Arizona in what could be a launching pad for his profile in the US.

Speaking about the decision to take his first title defence stateside - after taking the IBF world belt from Russian Evgeny Gradovich in May - Selby has said that he feels he has gained an edge by spending time training in the USA and by travelling earlier in his career.

"Fighters like Joe Calzaghe and Naseem Hamed went out to America at the back end of their careers," he said. "And if they'd gone out earlier they would have been even bigger, but I'm going as champion making my first defence.

"Most champions pick a nice easy voluntary for their first defence but I've got an established former three-time world champion.

"But these are the fights I want. I don't want easy defences, I want to fight the best and become the best.

"I'm fighting a big name in America and if I do a good job and look good winning it could change my profile."

Lee Selby vs Fernando Montiel will broadcast on Thursday, October 15 at 2am on Sky Sports 1