MEXICAN world champion Abner Mares has provided heartbroken Lee Selby with a much-needed boost after revealing he is ready to face the St Joseph’s ace on Welsh soil.

Selby saw his dream of fighting in Las Vegas go up in smoke on Friday when his IBF world featherweight title defence against Jonathan Victor Barros was called off.

The two were due to meet at the MGM Grand on Saturday night but mandatory challenger Barros failed to meet the medical requirements of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

However, despite the huge disappointment Selby felt when the news came through before the weigh-in, there could be a silver lining for the Welshman.

After telling Selby on social media he is happy to travel to Wales for a unification showdown, Mares, the WBA’s regular champion, told Boxing News: “Lee Selby, we had a little Twitter war, I called him out.

“He wants me to fight him in his hometown, I’m more than happy to.

“I’m happy to travel to Wales right now with him when he goes back.

“He’s ready to go, it’s too bad I didn’t bring my boxing trunks with me for this fight.”

Selby, who is set to remain in the States for a few days to hold talks with American advisor Al Haymon, was hoping to meet Belfast’s Carl Frampton in the UK this summer.

However, while a clash between the pair is likely to happen, it may have to wait a bit longer given Frampton’s defeat to Leo Santa Cruz in Vegas on Saturday.

There is a strong possibility that Frampton, who lost his WBA ‘super’ world championship to Santa Cruz, will complete a trilogy of fights against the Mexican – both men now have a win apiece.

WBO champion Oscar Valdez is also being mooted as a potential opponent for Selby, while there is always the chance that the Barros bout could be rearranged.

Speaking to BBC Wales Sport after missing out on the opportunity to make his Vegas debut, Selby said: “I’m devastated.

“All the hard work I've put in, the months of training, the months I've been away from my family, and to be let down 30 minutes before I'm meant to go on stage, it's very disappointing.

"We arrived at the weigh-in, got put in a back room and then the promoter came in, and that's when he told us Barros hadn't met the requirements of the Nevada Athletic Commission.

"They didn't say anything more than that. I wish him (Barros) all the best, it's not his fault – I'm just heartbroken.”

He added: “It was my time to shine, this big stage in the mecca of boxing, and it got taken away from me.

"It hasn't worked out as planned this time but I'm still returning home as IBF featherweight world champion.

"But trust me when I say I will be back, and I will make my stamp on the world of boxing."