LEE Selby will return to the scene of his greatest triumph next month as he sets out on the road to becoming a two-weight world champion.

The St Joseph’s star, currently on a two-week training camp in Los Angeles, has moved up to lightweight after losing his IBF world featherweight crown to Josh Warrington last May.

His return to the ring on February 23 sees the Barry ace (26-2) face hard-hitting American Omar Douglas (19-2), with a still-to-be confirmed title on the line.

The contest takes place at London’s O2, where Selby beat Evgeny Gradovich in 2015 to claim the International Boxing Federation’s 126lb strap, on the James DeGale-Chris Eubank Jnr undercard.

The show will be broadcast live on ITV Box Office and is a first in the UK for Poxon Sports-promoted Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

Tony Borg-trained Selby, 31, said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of becoming a two-weight world champion.

“The move up in weight was long overdue so that’s why we’ve chosen to jump up two weight classes to the lightweight division.

“There are so many fights to look forward to with big domestic fights like (Luke) Campbell, (Anthony) Crolla and (Ricky) Burns along with some of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world like Vasyl Lomachenko and Mikey García.

“The featherweight division was one of the toughest weight classes and I reached the top as IBF world champion.

“It’s the same mission now at lightweight and I can’t wait to get back to business on February 23.

“The O2 London has been a special venue for me where I won my world title so it’s great to be back there on a massive night for British boxing.”

Douglas, from Wilmington, Delaware, had a decorated amateur career, winning five state Golden Gloves titles and fights under the PBC banner.

The 27-year-old has 13 wins inside the distance and is a former NABA super-featherweight champion.

He said: “I am very grateful for this opportunity to come to London and fight on the show and the UK fans get to see me in action.

“Lee Selby is a solid fighter, but I know in my heart that I’m an undefeated fighter and that will make me very dangerous and I will show it on February 23.

“I will show I’m a major player at junior lightweight. Although this fight is at 135lbs, I want the world to see that I’m one of the top guys at 130 and put the champions on notice.”

Promoter Richard Poxon, of Poxon Sports, is thrilled to welcome a fighter of Selby’s calibre to the action-packed card and expects him to shine at lightweight.

Poxon said: “I always felt Lee would be a dominant champion at featherweight and would have fancied him against anyone.

“I was as surprised as anyone when he lost to Josh Warrington, but it was no secret Lee had his problems making weight.

“I’m really looking forward to watching Lee in this fight. To jump up two weights is some leap and it will be very interesting to see how he fits in the lightweight division.

“Douglas isn’t a joke for anyone and has only lost to the ‘top tier’ boxers. Edner Cherry is a proven operator and Javier Fortuna is top drawer. He’ll be coming to win, that’s for sure.

“If Lee carries the weight well, then I’d expect him to be a serious threat to any of the champions at 135lbs.

“There are some great domestic fights out there for him as well as on the international stage.”

* Tickets are available from AXS.com and Inner Ringside/VIP Hospitality from sportandmusic.co.uk, while ITV Box Office information can be found at itvboxoffice.com