Coldwell Boxing presents 'The Italian Job' starring David Barnes

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David Barnes is looking to make up for lost time in 2012, and that begins next Friday (Feb 24) when the 31-year old returns against Giuseppe Lauri in Bolton to headline ‘The Italian Job’ presented by Coldwell Boxing.

After almost two years out of the sport, Barnes returned to winning ways with a points victory over Isaac Quartery last November. The Bolton resident is now keen to show people what they’ve been missing at the De Vere Whites, Reebok Stadium next Friday night.

“I wanna show people that I’m back in the game and that I’m better than ever,” Barnes said when speaking to coldwellboxing.com.

The former two-weight British champion has experienced his fair share of ups and downs in the sport but after less than thirty fights, the southpaw is feeling better than ever.

“I’m better now than I was when I was 21,” he declared.

A statement spookily similar to those that Coldwell stablemate Ryan Rhodes made when he recaptured past glories when winning the European light-middleweight title a month shy of his 33rd birthday. The Sheffield veteran acts as an inspiration for Barnes.

“Rhodes has been there and done it himself. Of course, I look up to guys like Ryan and what they have achieved. Fighters like Bernard Hopkins too are very inspirational.

When you’re young, you do daft things. You stay out late, you have a few drinks and it soon hits home that you have to dedicate yourself more.

Nowadays, I don’t go out and there’s no late nights, I’ve dedicated myself. It’s just me and boxing.”

In facing Lauri, he takes on an individual that has fought and won not only European titles but has also shared the ring with fellow Brits such as the
legendary Ricky Hatton.

Barnes insists that the preparation he has put in this for this contest shows to himself how much he is back in love with the sport and how little he dares to look beyond this fight.

“If you do look beyond or too far ahead you can get a little bit disillusioned,” explained Barnes.

“I’m looking at Lauri and Lauri only. And once my promoter, Dave Coldwell, gets me my next fight I’ll look at whoever that is and them only.

All I’m concentrating on is going in there and doing the business and hopefully I can get a shot at a good title. I’m focused, much more mature in the head and simply better overall.”

Having rarely been in wars that normally shorten a fighter’s career, and not been marked up too often, the former Prizefighter contestant has plenty of miles left on the clock. Barnes has unfinished business in the ring, unreached goals and with Coldwell Boxing by his side he’s ready to get back to where he belongs.

“To be honest I should’ve been a world champion by now. Am I satisfied with my achievements, my career? No, not really. I know what I’m capable of doing. Working with Coldwell is great for me at this stage in my career. Dave is one of the best promoters out there and is gonna get to the top just like me.”

Tickets for ‘The Italian Job’ are available at www.coldwellboxing.com

Prices are £60 for ringside and £30 for unreserved. For full undercard details please visit our site as well.

Keep checking www.coldwellboxing.com for all the latest news regarding all of our fighters and events.

Follow @davidcoldwell on Twitter for regular updates


This ESB account is run by Coldwell Boxing Media and is not a personal account of Mr Coldwell himself.

 

Too long??? Top article is only 600 words! :deal

Cheers. Although this ain't Dave. I'm part of the media team. Taller than Dave, a bit more hair but certainly not as handsome :yep

 

Good interview by Terry Dooley with David Barnes over at the Scene

'David Barnes is very focused on fulfilling his potential'