ST JOSEPH’S boxing star Lee Selby has been dubbed ‘the Welsh Mayweather’ ahead of his Commonwealth featherweight title defence against Corey McConnell tonight – but he sees it as the other way round.

Selby is one of the rising stars in British boxing having just been snapped up by promoter Eddie Hearn and has trained with US legend Floyd Mayweather several times.

But the Barry boy laughed off the comparison ahead of his clash with unbeaten Australian McConnell in Blackpool.

“I see Mayweather as the American Lee Selby,” he joked. “I’ve been over and sparred with him in his gym so that’s where it came from but I don’t take it too seriously.”

Selby is confident of inflicting a first pro defeat on McConnell before moving on to a European title shot in Cardiff on June 15.

“I’ve seen a bit of footage of him on the internet,” said the 26-year-old, who trains with Tony Borg at St Joes.

“He looks decent and he’ll be coming to win but I think he may lack a little bit of power.

“They’re all tough until they get a punch in the mouth!

“If I win I’ll hopefully be challenging for the European title in Cardiff and if I win that I’ll look to defend it again in September or October.”