Banger Berry playing a title waiting game

Lost in thought…Berry ponders next move. Picture: Julie Lockley

NYALL Berry, the featherweight with truly ferocious power, was in reflective mood when I caught up with him at Birmingham’s Eastside gym.

Amid the industry of Sunday morning’s training session, Berry – a shocking pink bandana on his head – sat amid the clutter of discarded kit bags and gloves, seemingly lost in thought.

It was the calm before a storm of sparring.

And Chelmsley Wood’s Berry has plenty to ponder. He has seen a proposed Midlands title fight go south after local rival Lewis Morris pulled away from the Board of Control endorsed 10 rounder.

He is a man in search of meaningful fights. Not surprisingly, those boxers with something to lose are in no rush to risk their rankings against a bundle of fury who is unbeaten in seven. What’s more, Berry carries concussive power.

Nyall at least has a powerful ally in Scott Murray, promoter and head of luxurious new sports club, The Excelsior.

Scott has ensured the 23-year-old is an Excelsior fighter – “he’s what we’re all about,” he told me enthusiastically.

Nyall Berry…back in action at Excelsior Club on June 22

Berry WILL be fighting on the Excelsior’s June 22 show at Cannock’s Premier Suite – and he’s leaving no stone unturned to ensure the prospect is engaged in a significant contest: if not a Midlands title fight, then an English eliminator.

At Eastside, Nyall stared at the violent dance between Sam Eggington and his sparring partner and, above the thud of gloves against heavy bags, said: “It could be Louis Norman for the Midlands, but he was stopped in his last fight, so it depends when his suspension runs out.

“I wanted to fight Lewis Morris because of the things he said about me in the amateurs, but he just says ‘wait, wait, wait’. I really don’t know what we’re waiting for – it’s a Midlands title.

“I’m not going to hang around for a year.”

Scott Murray is keen to showcase Berry. The boxer is guaranteed to bring fireworks to The Excelsior.

“I think Nyall can become British champ, even European champ,” he told me. “He has the punching power of a middleweight.

“It’s frustrating (finding an opponent). If we can’t get a Midlands, we’ll go for an English eliminator.”

Scott added: “Nyall Berry is our club fighter, we want to follow him all the way.”

Berry is already learning one painful lesson about the pros: being able to punch is important, possessing patience is just as important.”