Barry controversially beaten for first time
Jessica Barry….she’ll gain invaluable lessons from contest
COVENTRY hope Jessica Barry controversially lost her unbeaten record by the narrowest of margins last night (Friday).
At Northampton’s Park Inn Hotel, the 28-year-old came up short by a single point against Lithuania’s vastly more experienced Vaida Masiokate.
Kevin Parker, scoring from outside the ring, had the six rounder 58-57. There were many in the hall who thought Barry edged it.
But the bout was much too close to be dubbed daylight robbery. I was not at ringside, but the general consensus is Masiokate took the first two rounds.
The narrow loss is far from a disaster for Barry, a college lecturer by day. In reality, it doesn’t register as a setback.
Barry was taking part in only her third professional outing and the night’s work will serve as an important part of her ring education.
Masiokate now has 29 contest to her name (five wins, five draws). And the 29-year-old has faced the very best in Britain.
Only one opponent has prevented Masiokate from hearing the final bell – world light-welter champ Chantelle Cameron who, only weeks ago, beat Katie Taylor.
Make no mistake, she’s one very tough cookie.
Such is the shortage of depth in women’s boxing that fighters such as Barry have to give away weight to gain fight-night experience, sometimes considerable weight.
The bottom line is the Eastern European was too big a unit. Jessica fights at junior-lightweight and will trim down to feather, even super-bantam, for title opportunities.
Masiokate has drawn with our own Kirstie Bavington, who recently lost in a British title bid – at welterweight! She looked much taller than Jessica.
Soon, Jessica will be answering bells of a very different kind. She’s set to be married and embarks on her hen weekend next weekend. That should ease the disappointment.
On facebook, Jessica told her followers: “Last night wasn’t my night. Heartbroken and frustrated to come home with a loss after the majority thought I had done enough, but I will never use that as an excuse and will never allow the decision to come that close again.
“I will always stay true to my word and take the riskier fights and aim to be an entertaining fighter to every single person in the room watching.
“If there’s one thing I learned last night it is the support I have around me is incredible. I sold more tickets away from home at five days notice than some people do on home shows.
“And every single person there supporting me is a part of my success and journey – win, lose or draw. I’m so grateful to have such amazing friends, family and team supporting me. Honestly, I couldn’t do it without you. Time to get married!”
Trainer Derek Fitzpatrick said: “I thought Jessica won four rounds to two after losing the first two rounds.
“I think there was enough done to win. Vaida used her long arms well, but Jess had the busier workrate and landed more, in my opinion. It’s a learning curve. Experience and size were factors at first, but Jess weathered them and did enough.
“At worst a draw, but a win for Jess for me. We take the lessons and come back after her time off to get married.”
Jessica is, understandably, crestfallen, but should see the performance for what it is: an important part of her ring apprenticeship.
And, in the long run, narrow defeats are worth more than a handful of walk-over victories.