HE’S the jewel in the crown of St Joseph’s boxing gym in Newport and boxing’s latest world champion, but Lee Selby is just delighted to have put Barry on the map for something other than Gavin and Stacy.

The 28-year old became Wales’ 12th world champion fighter when he stopped IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich on the much-lauded ‘Rule Britannia’ bill at London’s 02 Arena.

However, Selby, who as revealed by Argus Sport, recently helped to pay for some renovations at Tony Borg’s Newport gym, wanted to give something back to the next generation of talent who will aspire to emulate him.

And that doesn’t just extend to helping with financial issues; he’s also determined to be a positive role model and is especially excited to put his native Barry on the map.

Residents lined the streets on Saturday as Selby, his family and boxing team soaked up the sunshine on an open top bus ride around the city.

"It’s great to put Barry on the map. I’m proud of where I come from,” he said.

It’s great to have it known for sports rather than just Gavin and Stacey!

"Whenever I go away and tell someone that’s where I’m from, that’s the first thing they say: ‘Oh, Gavin and Stacey'. I’d like to be a role model to youngsters around here. I had to watch famous boxers on the TV. If they’ve got someone from their hometown who has got to the top, it can give them inspiration and belief that they can do it."

Selby admits his life would have been very different had his late brother Michael, killed in an accident seven years ago, hadn’t inspired him and younger brother Andrew into trying boxing.

“Barry’s just like any other town. There’s some beautiful places in Barry along the seafront but then there is a darker side to it,” he said.

“There are council estates. I grew up on one of those. I was born and raised in the Colcot area of Barry. In the summer time it’s really busy and it’s packed. There is jobs for the youngsters and stuff. But in the winter time it dies down. Growing up I didn’t have a lot to do. I was just hanging around the streets and stuff, smoking weed and drinking. Like most youths. I drank a lot of cider – the cheapest two litre bottles you could buy.

"A lot of my friends I grew up with are in prison or have been to prison. At the same time there are a lot of them that have done well for themselves. They have great jobs. They might run their own businesses or work as tradesman. But then others are signing on and taking drugs. I dread to think how my life would have panned out if I didn’t box.

“Michael made me snap out of it and do something with my life.”

Selby’s next couple of fights could become clearer in the coming weeks, with Matchroom understood to be targeting two voluntary defences before his next mandatory fight.

Selby is being tipped for a big pay day in Leeds against Josh Warrington and promoter Eddie Hearn also said this week that he’d be looking to take Selby back to Wales in 2015.