Barnes secures slot on Hatton bill

By Ben Carey

Manchester’s David Barnes will appear on the undercard of Ricky Hatton’s light-welterweight showdown against Jose Luis Castillo later this month. The Manchester southpaw, 21-1-1 (11), will face a selected opponent.

It will serve as a welcome boost to the former British welterweight champion’s career which has stagnated since he was stopped by Joshua Okine in a Commonwealth title clash exactly two years ago.

Gary Reid enlists big guns

Stoke’s Gary Reid has stepped up preparations for his encounter with unbeaten Ajose Olusegun which is scheduled to take place on 15th June at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Reid, who hopes to secure the Commonwealth light-welterweight title, has enlisted the support of British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore who is currently ranked at number 5 in the world by the WBC.

The 34 year old Reid today visited Oliver Harrison’s Manchester gym in order to spar 6 rounds with Moore. At 5’8” and a natural southpaw, Moore presented Reid with similar problems to those that he can expect to encounter from Olusegun. Additionally, with over a stone weight advantage Jamie was able to test both Reid’s strength and fitness. Gary passed the test and impressed both Jamie Moore and Oliver Harrison.