Busy time ahead for Coventry hope Jess

Jessica Barry…in action on Saturday at the H Suite, Edgbaston

BUSY times ahead for Jess Barry, the Coventry fighter edging towards titles.

On Saturday, Jess fights on Tommy Owens’ show at Edgbaston’s H Suite. After that, the college lecturer has a bout on Scott Murray’s plush Excelsior Sporting Club show of November. That night, at Cannock’s Premier Suite, looks one to remember.

It takes place on St Andrew’s Day and has a Scottish theme, with whisky tasting, haggis, pipers – and boxers from north of the border.

After that, titles are on the horizon, with the Board of Control calling for Jess and Beccy Ferguson, from Stoke, to meet for the Midlands junior-lightweight belt.

Jess should emerge victorious from Saturday’s engagement. As a lightweight, Kerry Orton will have a sway in weight, but has lost all four professional engagements.

It will be Barry’s first bout after suffering the first setback of her three bout career.

In June, she travelled to Northampton to face tough, experienced Vaida Masiokaite and was beaten by a single point.

Derek Fitzpatrick, who trains “Banshee” Barry at his Leamington gym, felt the junior-lightweight was hard done by.

It could’ve gone either way. It was certainly no robbery.

And he pledged there’ll be no hangover following Jess’ loss.

“You have to try to take the positives from the performance,” Derek said. “I don’t think she was anywhere near her best, but she won four rounds to two – I stand by that.

“However, we move on. Getting rid of that ‘0’ can be a monkey off your back – and, remember, Vaida had more wins than Jess has fights (the Lithuanian’s record is currently 6-19-5).

“We’re happy and confident.”

Barry, bright and articulate, entered the pro ranks a year ago 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.

Away from the bleeding business, she lectures on building service engineering at Solihull College.

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 told me: “It’s a learning curve, we’re taking one fight at a time. I need the experience of a pro.

“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.”