Banshee Barry gets English title chance
Jess Barry…fights for feather title. Picture: Michael Ault
JESS “Banshee” Barry has her English title fight.
She’s also make history by taking part in the first ever English title clash
Today, the Board of Control approved a contest between the Coventry boxer and Chelsey Arnell for the vacant featherweight belt.
And the 10 rounder is only weeks away. The pair meet on a Sunday, December 1, on a show staged jointly by Scott Murray and Tommy Owens’ Top Promotions at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham.
The odds will be in 30-year-old Barry’s favour. She’s the current Midlands junior-lightweight champ and has lost only one of six. Arnell, from Hull, has won four of six (one draw).
It’s a welcome boost for Barry, who trains out of Birmingham’s Eastside gym. She’s suffered more bad luck than most in the pro game.
In a recent interview, she told me: “I feel my face has been on posters for more fights that haven’t gone through than have gone through, although it’s probably 50-50.
“If I was fighting and not making money, I would be OK with that. But I’m spending money for not fighting.
“I love the training and the (boxing) journey, but I do think, ‘when is it going to end?’ I also feel I’ve given up too much for it not to come to anything. I’ve come too far not to continue. I believe in staying positive.”
That positivity has paid off.
Jess was actually scheduled to face Arnell last October in Coventry, but the bout fell through. In the run-up to that cancelled contest, her then trainer Derek Fitzpatrick said: “Chelsey’s tall and rangy. It’s not an easy one, but the things we’ve been working on in the gym are coming to fruition.”
Barry, bright and articulate, entered the pro ranks in 2022 after compiling a formidable amateur CV.
She learned her craft at Christ the King ABC, won 18 of 19 amateur bouts, was two-time national development champ, Universities Elite Cup winner and lost in the final of the elite championships.
Jess studied computer science at Coventry University and is also a qualified electrician.
As well as boxing, Jess is a talented footballer and cross country runner.
She said: “I think I have good mental toughness. As an amateur, I was happy to take one to land one. As a pro – over the longer distances – you can’t keep doing that.”