Barry Morrison: I'm desperate to be British champion again Jun 24 2008 By Hugh Keevins BARRY MORRISON will use the date of America's Independence Day to try to free himself of his boxing demons. Morrison meets Liverpool's David Barnes on July 4 in his bid to win back the British light-welterweight title. The Motherwell fighter plunged into a tailspin of depression after losing the crown to Colin Lynes. Defeat led to him running away in shame to Mexico and even forgetting to pick up his cut of the purse. Morrison admits he liked the adulation that went with being champion and although he accepts he's the underdog, he is desperate to be crowned king of the ring again. He said: "When you become British champion you want to walk down the street and let everyone know who you are. "But when you lose the title you just want to hide away and that's what I did. "I went to Mexico and still felt horrible when I came back. I was so bad I even forgot to pick up my money for the fight. "When I am described in the ring next month as the former British champion it will be like a kick in the guts. "The bottom line is I like everything that goes with being a champion and I want it all back. "I know Barnes has been in with better fighters than me but I've come back off the ropes stronger than before. "Being champion means fighting for the real money. I've been going out to work every day since I lost the title and that's reminded me of how good you've got it when you're on top." Morrison's preparation for his crossroads fight has meant partner Michelle becoming the family's bread-winner so he can go full-time in pursuit of his dream. Even the job of minding two-year-old son Dempsey has been delegated to grandparents while Morrison chases a big pay day. The only time he and Michelle have had together in two months was when they went to see a Girls Aloud concert at Glasgow's SECC. If a boxer can admit to that, he can confess to anything and Morrison unburdened himself when he summed up how a former champion feels at the moment that decision is announced. He said: "I did a runner out of shame when I lost the title but that's in the past. "Now I want to emerge with my head held high again and to help me do that my family are making sacrifices. I want to repay them." When the cream of the crop turned sour, his manager Tommy Gilmour saw a bright cloud on a dark horizon due to Morrison's temperament. Gilmour said: "Being called the former British champion has got under his skin and only he can clear up the irritation. "This is a huge fight and he needs to command the ring from the first bell. "It is up to Barry to prove he is a more than a capable underdog. "He has been an underachiever but now is the time to beat a name and prove he's above average." :good anyone been to everton park sports centre for a show yet? bar? good seating?
It's just a leisure centre that has sports facilities and vending machines. Think It has a cafe but not seen a bar.
