CHRIS Sanigar has seen some of the fight game’s great names strut their stuff in Las Vegas over the years, from Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis to Floyd Mayweather and Joe Calzaghe.

And next Saturday the Bristol-based boxing manager and promoter will witness one of his own charges take to the ring in the city known as the entertainment capital of the world.

IBF world featherweight king Lee Selby, who is managed by Sanigar and his son Jamie, makes his Vegas debut on January 28 when he defends his belt for a third time against Jonathan Victor Barros.

The St Joseph’s fighter is currently in California putting the final touches to his preparations for the big night, which also features Carl Frampton’s rematch with Leo Santa Cruz.

Sanigar, who also manages Selby’s younger brother Andrew and several other of trainer Tony Borg’s St Joes boxers, knows just how important it is that his man gets the job done next weekend.

Selby appears to be on a collision course with Northern Ireland’s Frampton, the WBA’s ‘super’ champion, for a massive unification bout back in the UK later this year.

Victories for both men at Vegas’ famous boxing venue the MGM Grand will surely make that fight a formality, and it’s one Selby wants to see take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Sanigar and his son will play a big part in trying to make the Welshman’s dream come true, but for now it is all about Argentinean Barros, a former world champion himself.

Looking ahead to the contest, Sanigar said: “I’ve been to many fight nights in Las Vegas. The first one was Herbie Hide against Riddick Bowe in 1995, and I’ve been across many times since.

“There was Frank Bruno-Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield and Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins.

“Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden are the big venues and any boxer’s dream is to fight there.

“In Vegas, it’s just the vastness of the place and its popularity. Walking down the Strip when we went to see Mayweather fight, people recognised Lee and he loves the place.

“He is well known on the world scene and very well respected in the USA.

“He has had fights against Fernando Montiel and Eric Hunter, and they are two very good fighters, and people in the trade in the USA know that.

“We just need a good win over there again and we’ll be cracking on.”

He added: “We are looking for some very big fights in the future.

“If everything goes to plan it will be Carl Frampton in the summer, and we would do everything we could to get the fight in Wales.

“It all depends on Lee’s performance in Vegas. The better he performs, the easier it is for us to get it here.

“Even if things don’t go to plan for Lee or Carl in Vegas then I’m sure a fight between them could still happen.”

Sanigar has helped guide Selby’s pro career from his debut, a points win over Sid Razak in Newport in July 2008, to now – and the Bristolian has no doubts about how Selby has got to where he is.

“We’ve managed Lee since his very first fight, which is a long time ago now,” he said.

“I knew he was a good talent but it’s his hard work and determination that has got him to where he is now.

“Lee is down to earth and trains very hard, and that is what has got him to the top.”

Giving his thoughts on Barros, he continued: “We’re very confident Lee is going to win but we’re not over-confident.

“Lee and I went to Japan to watch Barros box in the final eliminator.

“He is very capable, very experienced and very tough.

“He doesn’t seem to excel at any one thing but seems to be an all-round boxer.”