Banshee passes first overseas fight test

Barry is all smiles after beating Laela El Ksiri in Auch, France, on Saturday

JESS Barry continued her march towards international honours with victory in her first overseas assignment at the weekend.

In Salle du Mouzon, Auch, south west France, Jess outpointed Laela El Ksiri over six rounds. The decision was split, with one judge scoring a draw, but the Coventry “Banshee” appeared a decisive winner.

English featherweight champ Barry, who has lost only one of nine, will box next at Cannock’s Excelsior Club on May 29. After that, the hunt for major belts gathers pace.

Her promoter Scott Murray said: “We’re looking for a WBC international title by the end of the year – that’s the plan.”

Saturday’s opponent, El Ksiri – nine years Jess’ senior at 39 – proved much better than her patchy record of three losses in six (one draw) suggested. She was well-schooled, tough and made Barry work.

The pair served-up a tasty scrap on a show that also featured amateur bouts: Scott’s son Charles fought a French amateur champ on the bill.

But Jess’ cause wasn’t helped by the Orly boxer coming in way over the stipulated limit of 9st 1lb.

“People had lower expectations of her,” Jess said, “but not me – I don’t overlook anyone.

“In round one and two I felt good, in three and four I didn’t box as good and I felt five and six went really well. I boxed on the backfoot, I boxed differently than I usually do.

“She came in very heavy, about half-a-stone over, but I said, ‘it is what it is’. I knew I couldn’t go rushing in like I usually do. She was strong and I thought, ‘I have to box clever’.”

Jess added: “It was a fantastic experience, we were very well looked after. It was nice to box on the same show as all the amateurs. It gave them something to look up to.”

On social media, she posted: Hard work fighting away from home in another country and not your usual support or corner team behind you, but just another hurdle to be overcome for bigger things.”

Scott Murray said: “I thought Jess boxed great – she was up against a really good girl, very well schooled and well trained. We didn’t expect her to be that good. For me, Jess won every round, yet one judge scored a draw.

“I actually thought Jess boxed better than she did in her last (English title) fight against Linzi Buczynskyj. In that one, I felt she got caught with right hands she didn’t need to get caught with.”

Manager Pegg has publicly stated he plans to bring Jess down to super-bantam.

The fighter herself said: “It’s down to Jon and Scott. It all depends where the opportunities come.”