Keen to get back into Championship contention as quickly as possible, on the 5th July Barrett has chosen to mark his return with a stern test, as he faces Czech Republics #1 ranked Jan Balog.
Yeah, I cant wait, this past fifteen months has been a good learning process for me, so Im really looking forward to getting back in the mix.
This break Ive had has been good for me, Im not a Lightweight, Im not a Light Welterweight, Im walking around normally at 11st 4lbs and will be fighting at 10st 10lbs for this first fight and the plan is to drop to 10st 7lbs Championship weight, so yeah Ill be a Welterweight from now onwards.
Ive been as low as 8st 12lbs, when I fought for the British title, I won the English title at 9st 4lbs and I won titles at 9st 9lbs but I just couldnt keep draining myself trying to make the weight.
The ban was good for me, I missed the sport but to be honest I needed the break, Im really hungry to come back and get back into contention.
As an amateur I beat a lot of big names, as a pro I fought most of the domestic titles as well as a World title, but in the last year or so of my career I still wasnt getting any good opportunities to fight here, so my last few fights were abroad.
I got the call to go to Canada and fight Dierry Jean, who was #1 contender for the NABF title, which he won on his next fight after ours and is now #1 contender for the IBF World title.
I then got a bad result in Belgium, where I lost in the first round against Jean Pierre Baumens. Thats just the way it goes sometimes, I took a chance and it didnt pay off.
I keep getting offers to fight in America, Australia, Ghana etc. but its hard to get a result when youre fighting on the other guys home turf.
Not so much the Dierry result, he was a class above me, so cant moan about that. But Boumens, I tripped up and fell in between the ropes and he was allowed to hit me three, four, five times before I could even defend myself, so I got stopped in the first round.
I will still fight abroad occasionally, but really I want to fight more here at home.
I think this is a good fight to come back to, Balogs been in with a few of the good guys around Europe and a couple of the guys in England.
Hes tough, not one that tends to get knocked out, so maybe I can be the first one locally to stop him.
York Halls normally a good stomping ground for me, I knocked Mark Alexander out in one round there. I stopped a Croatian guy in five rounds there also, so maybe this one the same.
Ive got a busy couple of months, besides fighting on July 5th, Ill be fighting again on August 3rd and back at York Hall on 27th September. If these all go well I hope to be back in Championship contention by November.
Yeah, Id really like to challenge for one of these titles on Daves (Murphy) November 30th show, Itll be perfect for me.
So its full steam ahead now, starting with the 5th July.
Ryan Barrett versus Jan Balog features on the undercard of the Jennifer Rezke – Angel McKenzie World Championship clash, that headlines the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted Independence Day event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 5th July 2013.
Tickets, priced £30 (Gallery), £35 (Ground floor standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com – www.mariannemarston.com – www.acourtier.com – or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town www.tkoboxinggym.com – and Ringtone Gym in Euston – www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com – or from any of the boxers taking part in the event, or call 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.
Twitter: @AcourtierEvents
