Boxer Morrison battles to win back British title

Jun 26 2008 by Andrew McGilvray

BARRY Morrison will have to be at the top of his game to regain the British Light Welterweight title when he takes on David Barnes in Liverpool next week.

Manager Tommy Gilmour says the Motherwell boxer will have to be “like a greyhound out of the traps” if he is to stop the Mancunian inflicting a second costly title defeat.

Barry defeated Lenny Daws in London back in January 2007 to take the Lonsdale belt, but relinquished the honour five months later after being stunned by Colin Lynes in Motherwell.

But top promoter Gilmour, of St Andrew’s Sporting Club, reckons a win at the Everton Park Sports Centre on July 4 can open up a world of opportunities for his man.

He said: “To win, Barry has to be like a greyhound and be first out of the traps. He unsettled Lenny Daws to win the title in the first place, but he can’t think that he can go in and win this one just because he’s better; he has to have strategy and be on a whole different level.

“This is the biggest fight of his life. David Barnes is a former British welterweight champion who dropped down a level and won the title, so beating him would be huge on Barry’s CV.

“There is a lot to play for, and this is without doubt the biggest fight of his life.”

Gilmour revealed that Morrison has been training with British Featherweight champion Paul Appleby, his usual trainers Archie McKay and Arthur Melrose, but has also brought in fitness coach John Graham to help with stamina and endurance.

He sees something different in Morrison, and feels that the boxer is in fine condition for next Friday’s clash, which will be televised on Sky Sports.

Tommy said: “Barry’s really looking forward to the fight and he misses having the title, so he’s right up for this one.

“He knows what this is all about – a win puts Barry into a different league and he will get better fights, shots at the European title, and things like that.

“It’s a new Barry Morrison in his demeanour, and he’s more confident. A lot of that comes from working with Paul Appleby, who’s a champion, and there’s just a feel-good factor about Barry.

“I’ve always felt that there was more to come from Barry Morrison, and I’m confident that we’ll see it.”