Barry belts out best win of her pro career

Barry works Volejnickova’s long body. Picture: Michael Ault

JESS “Banshee” Barry overcame a debilitating virus to notch-up the best win of her career in Cannock on Thursday.

The Coventry prospect bullied and harried tall southpaw Lenka Volejnickova at the Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock, taking a 60-55 decision after six rounds.

It will go down as the best win of the Coventry featherweight’s five fight career, claimed in the most troubling circumstances. Her voice was still hoarse from the fag end of flu when we spoke after the bout.

Volejnickova – a late replacement – came with a winning record (4-1) and is a lightweight, but she simply hadn’t the power to keep Jess at bay.

On a night staged to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Barry dug deep and kept things close. A Midlands title fight now awaits the 29-year-old.

“I was ill for most of the training,” Barry admitted, “and sparring didn’t go well. People were telling me this fight was a risk, that it was a mistake. But that’s what I want, 50-50 fights. That’s what makes you a better boxer.

“It (illness) meant I had to do things differently. I threw less shots with more accuracy. The usual engine was missing.”

The bout was entertaining and all action, if a little raw at times.

Barry incessantly targeted the Czech boxer’s body and kept a fast pace. Volejnickova simply couldn’t match her for industry.

Much taller, the visitor (9s 4lbs 8oz) copped a left hook to the head in the opener and was then drilled by rights to the body.

Barry is interviewed by Richie Woodhall and Steve Bunce. Pic: Jack Perry

Barry (9st 5lbs 2oz) landed with a volley of lefts and rights to the ribs in the third, but was caught by an eye-catching left cross.

Volejnickova probably shared the fourth on referee Peter McCormack’s card, although she looked tired and her work was becoming ragged.

Barry was not to be denied. She slipped under Volejnickova’s long levers in the fifth and kept pounding away. A particular hard right to the midriff echoed around the venue in the last.

At times Jess’ work wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.

She’s endured a string of cancellations and seen one championship contest go south. Now Barry is zeroing in on her first title.

And although she scaled well above the featherweight limit on Thursday, Barry’s best fighting weight may well be super-bantam.