Ringside Boxing Report: David Barnes vs. Barry Morrison

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

It was a noisy atmosphere last night at the Everton Park Sports Centre in Liverpool, England, where David Barnes made his first defence of the British Light Welterweight title against former champion Barry Morrison.

In a Matchroom Sports promoted fight night, Scot Barry Morrison was looking to ʽwin back the beltʼ.

ʽBarnesyʼ, fighting out of Bob Shannonʼs Gym, had a ʽnightmareʼ weigh-in on Thursday when he failed to make the weight initially, but there were no signs of problems when he came out for the first round. Looking ʽsnappyʼ - southpaw Barnes ʽwhipped-outʼ his long-reaching right punch to the face of Morrison.

ʽThe Businessʼ Morrison has the tighter-looking defence as he holds his gloves up high to practically cover his face - but Barnes still gets through. Barnes looking the more ʽpolishedʼ boxer against Morrison.

A notable left punch finds Barnes in round two while in the third, Barnes clumsily bungles Morrison over but this was just the first of many times he does this during the fight. Barnesʼs nose is bleeding as they return to their corners at the end of the frame.

Barnes sustains a ʽnickʼ to the top of the right cheek bone in round four. Itʼs a better round for Morrison and he lands a couple of good right shots.

Round five gets a bit messy as Barnes ʽbunglesʼ Morrison over through the ropes again. Referee Mark Green tells them both to ʽkeep it cleanʼ.

Sky Sports fight stats indicate that Barnes has thrown more shots, 244 to187, but Morrison has the marginally better success rate of 19% to 18%.

Morrison must be sensing that he needs to pull out the stops as he has a better round in the ninth, throwing a combination of shots. Round ten is good for Morrison too as he lands some decent right shots.

Round twelve and as heads clash, Barnes can be heard to shout out. He looks concerned briefly that a cut may have developed - but the fight continues.

Barnes still looks sharp but takes a couple of shots from Morrison.

Barnes wins by unanimous decision 116-113, 116-113 and 116-112

Afterward, Barnes told Sky Sports Presenters that his rib had been ʽsoreʼ at times during the fight. He admitted that heʼd suffered a rib-injury when sparring with Denton Vasell two weeks ago.