28.04.04 – Former Amateur star Francis Barrett will meet Chesterfield’s Gavin Down for the EU light welterweight title on the undercard of the Hennessy Sports ‘home II’ promotion – headlined by Carl Froch’s British and Commonwealth Championship showdown with Tony Dodson – at the Nottingham Arena on Wednesday June 2nd. Expect fireworks….
“This is going to be some fight,” began Francis, whom at the age of just 18 carried out the Tricolour for Ireland at the Atlanta Olympics.
“I have heard Gavin likes to come forward and enjoys a bit of scrap. Well you won’t see me taking any backwards steps either.
“It’s going to be hard night for me, he is a big, tough handful.
“It could well be a long night for me, he is very courageous and resilient.
“But I will win, I will break him down.”
Victory brings rewards.
Whilst the EU Championship is still young, it is a useful stepping-stone towards more traditional honours, such as its (elder) sister title: the European.
“The EBU already ranks me at 13 and Down at 14,” continued ‘Francie’. “The winner should go a lot higher.
“Once the EBU starts taking notice of you, the world’s governing bodies start taking notice of you.
“That is what every fighter is aiming for: the world.
“This fight is going to open a lot of doors for me.”
Barrett, 14-2 (2), already holds the Southern Area Title.
The 27-year-old – star of award winning feature documentary ‘Southpaw’ – claimed the mantle 12 months ago when out pointing Basingstoke’s Jon Honney in a barnstormer.
A shock cuts defeat next time out to Silence Saheed threatened to derail the title charge, but the Wembley based Galway man got firmly back on track with wins later in the year over David Kirk and then impressively Oscar Hall.
Barrett continued: “It was good to finish the year on a high.
“A lot of people thought I would struggle against Hall, he is a former ABA champion after all, a very useful operator, but I trained hard and reaped the benefits.
“I haven’t boxed since, but I needed the rest and I certainly don’t feel there will be any ring rust.
“I will be making sure I get in plenty of sparring in the gym so that I am on the top of my game.
“Everything will be right for me on the night.”
Francis can certainly count on his followers to lift him.
A barmy army of Celtic fans swell his loyal fan base whenever and wherever he fights, lifting the rafters with their renditions of the ‘Fields of Athen Rye’.
“There will be good few of my supporters there, even though the fight is in Nottingham,” he added.
“I know Gavin is a bit of a favourite up in that neck of woods, but don’t worry my lot will give the locals a run for their money.
“100 of them make the noise of about five times as many.”
‘home II’ takes place at the Nottingham Arena on Wednesday June 2nd. It features Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch vs British super middleweight champion Tony Dodson, Francis Barrett vs Gain Down and other Hennessy Sports stars. Tickets are available on 0870 121 0123.
For more information please visit www.HennessySports.com