ST JOSEPH'S star Lee Selby will face Romulu Koasicha in an official eliminator for the WBC world featherweight title in Cardiff on May 17.

The WBC international belt will also be on the line at the Motorpoint Arena on the Sky Sports show.

Barry boy Selby, who trains with Tony Borg in Newport, is sitting pretty at number three in the WBC rankings and is closing in on champion Jhonny Gonzalez, who defends his title in his native Mexico a week later.

Selby must see off Gonzalez’s fellow countryman Koasicha to move towards his first world title shot, with the Mexican fresh from defending his WBC US featherweight title in February having reclaimed the crown in July.

Selby impressed in his last outing at the Motorpoint Arena, stopping former world title challenger Rendall Munroe in February to add the European title to his British and Commonwealth straps, and promoter Eddie Hearn says his charge will be out to impress again in Cardiff next month.

“Lee is buzzing right now, he put in a great performance against Munroe in a sold out arena in Cardiff and he can’t wait to get back there,” said Hearn. “He is nicely poised in the rankings and the plan is to be the mandatory challenger by the close of the year.”

Selby’s clash with Koasicha is part of a cracking night of action in Cardiff, as Cefn Fforest ace Nathan Cleverly shares top billing in his first fight at cruiserweight.

And Selby's St Joes stablemate Gary Buckland takes on Newbridge ace Gavin Rees once again in a rematch of their British lightweight title eliminator that was an early contender for fight of the year on the February bill.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, and from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.