Belter Barry aims to make up for lost time

Jess Barry…back with an eight rounder next month in Cannock

JESS Barry, fit again after being sidelined by injury, next month begins her quest for more titles at a new weight.

Having captured a Midlands belt at super-feather and English and Commonwealth honours at feather, Barry will slim down to super-bantam for her contest at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on February 7.

The Coventry “Banshee” will face battle-hardened veteran Gemma Ruegg over eight rounds. For 41-year-old Ruegg, it’s a return to the venue where she and Stevi Levy served-up a bruising, blood spattered crowd-pleaser last September.

For Barry, it’s a return to action after over nine months out with a neck injury severe enough for Jess to, at times, ponder her ring future.

“I think, in the end, I departmentalised it so it wasn’t so frustrating,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s something I’ll always have to manage, but some fighters have suffered bigger injuries. A lot of boxers carry injuries. It’s a question of getting through it, being smart with it.

“It put me out for so long and stopped me going to the gym completely which was difficult. Keeping fit is what keeps me happy.”

Barry last fought in April, outpointing Laela El Ksiri in Auch, France. She was to have faced Stevi Levy for an international title on last September’s Cannock Chase Leisure Centre show before the injury ruled her out. Ruegg took her place.

“I’ve been sparring for a month,” Barry said, “and at first it was like, ‘Jesus, I’ve got a lot of work to do’. Last week it all clicked into place – I sparred just as good as before I got injured. Since I’ve got fit, it’s been alright.”

The injury cruelly came when Barry, who has lost only one of nine, was making rapid strides towards major fights and major nights.

Last year’s performances have earned two nominations at this month’s Midlands boxing awards ceremony. Barry’s been shortlisted in the female fighter of 2025 category and her English title defence against Linzi Buczynski is a fight of the year contender.

She’s in a hurry to catch-up on lost time.

“I’d like a title fight straight away,” Jess added. “After an eight rounder I’d like my next one to be a title fight.

“I’d love to fight (British super-bantam champ) Tysie Gallagher for her belts. I’m not in my early 20s anymore, I want to take the risks and take the big fights.

“Making the (new) weight has been alright up to now, the next month is probably going to be the tester. It’s hard, but, for me, making weight has always been hard.”