BoxRec

From the South Wales Argus

"NEWBRIDGE boxer Bradley Pryce will be part of arguably the biggest night in British boxing for a decade.

Welterweight Pryce, 24, will finally get the fight he has been waiting for when he challenges David Barnes for the British Welterweight crown, as part of the Ricky Hatton versus Kostya Tszyu bill in Manchester on June 4.

It means that Pryce will challenge the undefeated Barnes in his home-city at the MEN Arena which is guaranteed to be packed to the rafters.

Barnes and Pryce had built up quite a rivalry in anticipation of their March fight with much mud flying between them, before Barnes pulled out, due to a bout of influenza.

But Pryce's manager Brian Powell has now confirmed the summer date for the fight and Pryce is confident of putting on a boxing clinic in front of what is sure to be a hostile crowd.

He explained: "Obviously the fight is in Hatton's home town and that just happens to be Barnes' home as well, so I can expect the crowd to be against me.

"But that does not bother me in the slightest, in fact, i'm sure it will bring out the best in me.

"I have faced undefeated boxers before and been in many hostile places before, but I always come out fighting and on the night it won't be any different.

"I am in great shape and I am focused on the fight and always have been, which gives me an edge.

"Generally guys like Barnes get wrapped in cotton wool and looked after, but I am not like that, I am a fighter and don't duck challenges.

"It should be a marvellous occasion, certainly one of, if not the biggest night of my career. "I have fought on the under-card of big fights before, with guys like Mike Tyson, but this time my fight is for a title and the atmosphere should be fantastic.

"The lack of support doesn't worry me because I have lost three times in Wales and sometimes the weight of expectation can unsettle you a bit.

"But nothing Barnes can do will unsettle me because I have waited a long time for this opportunity."

Barnes, also 24, has an undefeated record, having won 17 fights, 13 by a knockout. He has been British Welterweight champion for almost two years.

Pryce has been beaten five times in his career, but he has won more fights than Barnes (20) with 13knockouts to his name."

nice one reckon this could be a cracking fight.
barnes to win but bradley gives it his all everytime he is in the ring.
good stuff.

Surely as well Barnes v pryce there got to be some other meaningful fights. This will be on Pay per view from 10pm. The main event does not start till 2am.

Poor match, what exactly has Pryce done to deserve a British title shot?

it just a voluntary defence I think. Its probably be Barnes last defence I would think. Then the number wbo welterweight michael Jennings will probably fight for this. Ranked about 80 by the IBO. Just shows you what a joke world rankings are.

Pryce has lost 5 of his last 9 fights. Mostly spark out and now Barnes is going to knock him into next week.

nickd wrote:Pryce has lost 5 of his last 9 fights. Mostly spark out and now Barnes is going to knock him into next week.

Thats true, but to be fair most of those losses have come against fighters who an ineligable to fight for this title. This devision is quite void of talent.

I can think of one or two more deserving challengers, but there isn't that many others.

Pryce is not a welter, he was a lightweight not that long ago.

Still doesnt really get the juices flowing before the Hatton-Tzsyu fight does it, looking forward to see who else is fighting on the undercard

nickd wrote:Pryce is not a welter, he was a lightweight not that long ago.

He's been a Welter for a while now - even had a few fights at Light Middle.

stujones wrote:

nickd wrote:Pryce is not a welter, he was a lightweight not that long ago.

He's been a Welter for a while now - even had a few fights at Light Middle.

I know that, but he doesnt look like a welter to me he's tiny. I think he could easily make 140 with a bit of dedication.

I hope this isn't chief support.

I believe it will be an entertaiing fight, but Barnes doesnt get many plaudits for beating up Pryce in my book.

I wasn't expecting a huge fight on the undercard, but this would be a poor chief support IMO.

From reading boxing news possibly macklin v jones for british light middleweight title as well. These are ok but they need a good no 2 fight this is going out on pay per view.
Also the crowd have paid good money for this event

Also what fight will they have on the Harrison v Brodie bill as undercard?

nickd wrote:

stujones wrote:

nickd wrote:Pryce is not a welter, he was a lightweight not that long ago.

He's been a Welter for a while now - even had a few fights at Light Middle.

I know that, but he doesnt look like a welter to me he's tiny. I think he could easily make 140 with a bit of dedication.

Wait until you see him beside Barnes, he's going to look absolutely tiny. I think he's going to get absolutely mullered.

Pryce has one of the bravest managers in the business.

Who was it who first made that quote?

I feel sorry for Pryce, at lightweight he looked sensational for a while, then he had that 12 rounder where he completely gassed and got knocked round the ring for 2 rounds before pulling out a win. He's been moved too quickly and is fighting at too high a weight in my opinion. The poor guy is only 24, and if he gets smashed up here, they'll be saying he's shot. Sad.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Who was it who first made that quote?

Sonny Liston I think. He'd just clobbered some guy and was asked if his opponent ( Wepner? ) was the bravest person he'd ever met. Sonny replied "No, but his manager is."