Barry vows to make new year ring return

Jess Barry….injury has put her career plans on hold

FOR Coventry’s Jess Barry, bad luck has timed its strike near impeccably.

Just as the English featherweight champ was firing on all cylinders, just as big fights beckoned, injury has forced her to sit on the sidelines.

First an eye injury slowed progress, then a damaged neck forced her to write off the rest of the year.

The 31-year-was slated to face Stevi Levy in September, but had to withdraw from the international title scrap at short notice. Instead, the “Banshee” watched Levy outpoint Gemma Ruegg from a ringside seat.

“That was pretty frustrating,” she said, “because I felt I would’ve definitely have won that fight.”

Barry, with only one loss in nine, is remaining positive, however, and looking for a ring return in February or March.

“I was back in the boxing gym last Thursday,” she said.

“It’s heart-breaking, but I’ve competed in sport since I was six and never had an injury that’s put me out before. It’s really disappointing, but this one isn’t going to put me out. There were opponents I felt I was – I am – ready to fight and I was getting down to the weight where I want to be (super-bantam).

“It is what it is, I’ve got to put it down to experience and be ready to go in February or March. I just want to get the biggest fights I can – Tysie Gallagher, the people around there.”

Barry added: “I was on a roll and this happens.”

Jess, aggressive and all-action, had established herself as a real force in the 12 months before suffering injury.

In June, 2024, she halted Beccy Ferguson for the Midlands super-featherweight title. In December, she outpointed Chelsey Arnell for the English featherweight belt and defended it this March by beating Linzi Buczynskyj.

Barry last boxed in April – her first overseas assignment. In Auch, France, she outpointed Laela El Ksiri over six rounds.