SELBY GETS A TASTE OF BIG TIME IN VEGAS; Barry boxer hits the Mayweather jackpot.

Byline: PHIL BLANCHE

MONEY talks in Las Vegas and Lee Selby is aiming to hit the jackpot one day after seeing boxing's No.1 cash machine up close and personal.

Barry boxer Selby headed Stateside last month in the build-up to his Commonwealth featherweight title defence against Patrick Okine this week.

Selby didn't have much luck on the roulette tables in Sin City, but he ended up being a richer man for being ringside at Floyd Mayweather's training camp.

Mayweather, aka 'Money', and arguably boxing's best pound-for-pound performer, was preparing for his recent Las Vegas victory over Miguel Cotto.

It was a taste of the big time which Selby has craved since his shock victory over Stephen Smith in Liverpool last September saw him crowned British and Commonwealth champion.

There were sparring sessions with unbeaten former world featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and the world-ranked Australian Joel Brunker.

But nothing prepared him for his sessions with home-grown Las Vegas boxers.

"It was quite tough as there were a lot of gangsters around the ring and they were banging the canvas when I was sparring," laughed Selby, 25.

"I think they wanted my blood - but it was wicked really. You knew you had to perform in that atmosphere.

"It was great to be in that company, sparring with world champions, doing well and learning so much along the way."

Selby's trip was arranged through his manager Chris Sanigar's friendship with Cornelius Boza-Edwards, the former British-based Ugandan boxer who now trains fighters in America.

But as well as the high-quality sparring there was the opportunity to see Mayweather go through his paces.

"I'd be in there doing my work on the pads with Mayweather's uncle Roger and on the bags and he would turn up," he said.

"He'd come in with his security staff and clear the gym.

"They'd get most people out but luckily they allowed me to stay and watch him train.

"He's got this (difficult) image but the funny thing was he was quite approachable. I had my picture taken with him and he was asking about my career.

"I learned a lot from watching him closely. He never wastes a shot, he always seems to land when he throws a punch and just does not get caught.

"When he does land he really makes his punches count and that's a sign of a class act."

But Selby's luck disappeared when he ventured out after training into the Las Vegas casinos.

"It was pretty full-on, I'd do my running, sparring and gym work," he said.

"But we did have the odd night out and we were on the same road as The Strip, about three miles away from town.

"I had a go on the roulette table but I ended up down.

"Hopefully I'll do better if I go back there. It would be a dream to have a world title fight at the MGM in Las Vegas one day."

Selby's focus is closer to home on Friday as he returns to action for the first time since December.

It is also the first time he has fought in Wales since upsetting Smith and successfully defending his two titles against John Simpson.

Only the Commonwealth title is at stake against the hard-hitting Ghanaian Okine in Newport, but Selby is desperate to put on an impressive 'homecoming'. "It's great to be fighting in Wales again," said Selby, brother of the Olympics-bound flyweight Andrew.

"To have the crowd behind me and supporting me, instead of booing me, will be a nice feeling.

"I was supposed to be on Nathan Cleverly's show in Cardiff in February and then another March date fell through.

"But they want me to build my following at home so it's great to get this chance.

"I haven't fought for six months and I need to be busier. I don't want these long gaps between fights, but I've been non-stop in the gym and I'm raring to go."

Tough Ulsterman Martin Lindsay - who lost the British title to Simpson in December 2010 - has been touted as a potential opponent after extending his record to 19-1 with a knockout win over Mickey Coveney earlier this month.

"Hopefully I'll come through this defence and look to take my mandatory for the British, make two more defences to keep the belt outright," he said.

"I'd like to be fighting for the world title in 18 months but I want to make sure I'm ready for that when it comes around. I don't want to take the chance early and get beat through lack of experience.

"I want to make sure it's the right time and I can go on from there."

Selby v Okine is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky channel 456/Virgin channel 546). Join at www.boxnation.

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CAPTION(S):

Lee Selby (right) in action during his last fight against John Simpson Miguel Cotto, left, hugs Floyd Mayweather Jr after Mayweather's unanimous points win in Las vegas