David Barnes (boxer)

Career

Barnes made his professional debut in July 2001 at the Manchester Velodrome, stopping Trevor Smith in the second round of a four-round match. After compiling an undefeated ledger of 12-0, he fought for the vacant British Welterweight title in July 2003 against Jimmy Vincent, winning by a narrow score of 115-114 from referee John Keane. Early in his career, Barnes spent six weeks at an army detention centre in Colchester after being absent without official leave from the army for 18 months, a fact discovered by promoter Frank Warren during a passport check. Barnes told The Daily Telegraph in January 2003 that he hated nearly every minute of his army service, having joined as a restless 15-year-old.

As full British champion with a record of 13-0, Barnes defended his title in December 2003 against Kevin McIntyre at the MEN Arena in Manchester, winning when the fight was stopped after the eighth round. He followed with further defences against Glenn McClarnon and James Hare, earning the Lonsdale belt outright. After a victory over Juho Tolppola, he fought Ali Nuumbembe for the WBO Inter-continental welterweight title, a match that ended in a draw.

In June 2005, Barnes faced Ghana's Commonwealth champion Joshua Okine, was put down in the fifth round and stopped in the 12th, his first career defeat. He had not allowed enough time to defend his British title and so gave it up. Over the next two years he fought five times against journeymen. In March 2008 he fought for the British light welterweight title against Ted Bami at the George Carnall Center in Davyhulme, winning comfortably on points and becoming the first man to hold the British title at both welter and light welterweight.