Barnes out to relaunch career

Barnes: European goal

I have to get my career back on track so I'm very happy to be in Prizefighter.

David Barnes
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Former two-time British champion David Barnes is hoping victory in next month's Prizefighter will set him on course for a European title shot.

Barnes has not fought for almost 18 months after breaking his hand during victory over Barry Morrison in 2008, and then re-injured himself just before his second defence of the light-welterweight title against Colin Lynes.

After Barnes suffered his injury, Paul McCloskey stepped in at short notice and defeated Lynes and has since gone on to win the European title.

The Manchester fighter admits retirement was considered but the 28-year-old believes he still has plenty to offer the sport now that the injury is fully healed.

"I broke my hand in my title victory over Barry Morrison but two weeks before my next defence I broke it again," said Barnes.

"I've lost my belt out of the ring twice and it's been so frustrating as I'm undefeated as a British Champion.

No rush

"It was a very bad injury and the doctors told me I hadn't rested it enough when it happened again. That's why I've not been in a rush to get back in the ring otherwise it would've gone again.

"At one point I thought about retiring but I'm still young and plenty to give the sport so I'm not thinking about retirement anymore.

"I have to get my career back on track so I'm very happy to be in Prizefighter and the injury is not a worry at all as I've been sparring with top fighters in the gym."

Ironically, Barnes has been drawn against Lynes in the quarter-finals of Prizefighter on December 4, live on Sky Sports, but does not expect to be troubled by the Londoner.

"I expect Prizefighter to be a stepping stone for me to get back to title level," said Barnes.

"I should've fought McCloskey for the British title a couple of years ago so hopefully I can win Prizefighter and get a crack at him.

"Everyone has wrote me off but I'm not going anywhere. I still believe I have the talent but I don't have anything to prove to anyone.

"People were saying I had lost it and I had gone but that's just other people's opinions."