Barney-Smith chasing 'statement' win over Bellotti

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Royston Barney-Smith is unbeaten across his 16 professional fights [Getty Images]

Royston Barney-Smith believes a victory against Reece Bellotti on Saturday would send out a "massive statement" to the 130lbs division.

The 22-year-old British and Commonwealth champion from Southampton takes on 'The Bomber' in the chief-support to Pierce O'Leary's IBO title fight against Mark Chamberlain in Dublin.

Barney-Smith comes into this contest off the back of picking up the Lonsdale belt in April, and is hoping to continue building on some big recent wins.

"I'm 150% sure that I'm going to win and I'm fully prepared for any style of fight," Barney-Smith told BBC Sport.

"Bellotti's game and he's there to win but he's going to have to bring something special to win on Saturday night and I don't know what he brings to faze me.

"Winning would send out a massive statement to the world scene because Ryan (Garner) has the WBC Interim belt now, so if I can beat Bellotti in a better fashion than he did then it's a big statement."

Fellow Southampton man Ryan Garner forced a late stoppage of Bellotti himself in 2025, and Barney-Smith is hoping to better that.

Bellotti, 35, who now has 20 wins with seven defeats, previously held the British and Commonwealth titles himself and comes into this fight off the back of a loss to Josh Padley - which he felt was controversial.

Barney-Smith trains in Essex with Ben Davison and would add the vacant IBO Intercontinental title to his collection with a victory this weekend.

He believes that a win would put him into the conversation for a big fight with current IBO super-featherweight champion Jono Carroll.

"The IBO intercontinental belt tees me up for fighting Jono Carroll next," he added.

"I can't wait to move on to bigger and better things, obviously, I'm not looking past Reece as it is going to be a cracking fight and a good night in Dublin.

"I'd love that fight and I'll be number one in the division with a win on Saturday, It'd mean the world to me to have my arm raised and I'm going for a stoppage victory."

• British title win would be 'dream' for Barney-Smith
• 'I had to step up' - Barney-Smith shines in tough test

More boxing from the BBC​

• Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

You must be registered for see images

Continue reading...