Barnes claims British title

Barnes: points victory

That wasn't the best of Barnes, that was my first fight since December and I was a bit rusty.

David Barnes
Quotes of the week

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• World champions
• On Sky TV
• Messageboards

David Barnes won the vacant British light-welterweight title with a comprehensive points victory over Ted Bami in Manchester on Friday evening.

Barnes dominated the contest, his crisp counter-punching was far too quick for Bami, who plodded forward bravely and soaked up plenty of punishment.

The only moment of danger for Barnes came in the second when a clash of heads left him with blood flowing from a cut above his left eye.

But that was cleaned up by his corner at the end of the round and, from that point, he was given little trouble by the one-dimensional style of former European champion Bami.

As the middle rounds wore on it became increasingly apparent that Barnes was the more quick and skilful operator, it is arguable that he won every round from the third onwards.

Both men tired in the final stages - each was warned for holding in the 10th - and it was no surprise when the fight went the distance as neither had threatened to deliver a knockout blow.

Barnes got the verdict by margins of 119-110, 117-111 and 117-111 to become the first man to win the British title at welterweight and then come down a weight division and achieve the same feat.

"That wasn't the best of Barnes, that was my first fight since December and I was a bit rusty," Barnes told Sky Sports.

"He's a good fighter, awkward and always using his head, but that's life.

"I always felt in control, I'd trained hard for the fight but - for some reason - ring rust got to me."