Barnes: back in love with boxing

I'm in the best shape of my life and a more dedicated boxer than I was before. The higher the dedication the greater the threat I pose to my opponent.

David Barnes
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DAVID BARNES v
BARRY MORRISON
British light-welterweight title
Live on Friday Fight Night
10pm, Friday, Sky Sports 1

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• Barnes claims British title

David Barnes is in no mood to let another title slip through his hands.

Ricky Hatton's mate puts his British light-welterweight belt on the line against Barry Morrison on Friday Fight Night this week.

It is his biggest bout since a jarring 12th-round defeat against Commonwealth welterweight boss Joshua Okine in June 2005 and some dark times for the Manchester man.

He was considered one of Britain's brightest prospects until then, but admits it was the wake-up call he needed.

Barnes says he recaptured his love for the sport and with it the British title with a points win over Ted Bami in November and is not about to lose his second wind against Scotland's Morrison.

"I love being British champion and enjoy everything that goes with that status," he told the Daily Record. "It's a positive feeling I don't want to give up after all I've been through.

"I'm in the best shape of my life and a more dedicated boxer than I was before. The higher the dedication the greater the threat I pose to my opponent."

Underdog

Hatton will be watching from ringside at Everton Park Sports Centre in Liverpool but Barnes insists his presence will have little affect on the crowd.

Morrison's manager, Tommy Gilmour, expects his man to be the firm favourite among the locals, even though Barnes will be the favourite in the ring.

"It's a huge fight for Barry," he said. "Barry will go in as the underdog but he is more than capable of upsetting Barnes.

"Both have a wee bit of home advantage because the Liverpudlians have always been very close to the Scots.

"We'll certainly not be going into the ring with the voices shouting in the other direction and we are quite happy with that."