Now Barry poised to box for Emerald Isles

Jess Barry…features on Scott Murray’s big March show

YOU could forgive Jess Barry for having something of an identity crisis.

Last time I reported on the Coventry junior-lightweight, she was representing Scotland in a professional tournament against England at Cannock’s Excelsior Club in November. She gained a points win, bringing her record to three wins in four.

I’m not aware Barry possesses Scottish heritage, although she supports Celtic.

Now Berry, I understand, will represent the Emerald Isles in an England-Ireland tournament on March 7 to mark St Patrick’s celebrations.

The fight will again be held at Scott Murray’s plush Excelsior Sporting Club, based at his Premier Suite, Cannock, base.

At least Barry does appear to have genuine Irish roots. But there’s only a Welsh vest left for the 29-year-old.

I’m sure, given the opportunity, trainer Derek Fitzpatrick would put Jess on a leek based diet and bang the drum for the 29-year-old to be included on a Scott Murray bill to mark St David’s Day. He’d ensure she was Welsh for the day.

I like Barry, a college lecturer. And I have sympathy for her.

She was scheduled to face Stoke’s Beccy Ferguson for the Midlands junior-lightweight title. Instead, Ferguson faced Sian O’Toole for the featherweight belt and lost.

Where that leaves Barry, I’m unsure. There appears no current talk of a title fight.

Fitzpatrick has taken it on the chin. He said: “That’s boxing – opportunities slip away and opportunities arrive unexpectedly. You’ve just got to make sure you’re ready when the phone rings.”

But he admitted: “It’s not so much the goalposts have moved for Jess, at present they seem to have been taken away.

He added: “I’m really happy with her. The things we are working on, she needs less reminding. She has a real single-mindedness and a raging desire to succeed.”