Berry prepares for a title push at bantam

Nyall Berry…British title eliminator scheduled for February

NYALL Berry marked time at Cannock’s Excelsior Club as much bigger things beckon.

And his victory over Cesar Ignacio Peredes on Thursday was very much an exercise in keeping ring rust at bay.

Chelmsley Wood’s contender seldom touched top gear as he kept the Peruvian southpaw respectful with sharp jabs to head and body.

On referee Pete McCormack’s 39-37 card, Berry lost one of the four rounds. That was probably the final session, when Nyall allowed the 51 fight veteran to scuffle his way back. I had it a 40-36 whitewash.

Berry, with only one loss in 17, can now concentrate on a new year full of exciting opportunities.

A flyer for Scott Murray’s major show at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on February 7 states the 26-year-old will box a British title eliminator on the bill.

That will be a division below the weight class where Berry claimed an English title in March. Berry insists he can make bantamweight without a struggle, however.

“A Commonwealth title fight or British title eliminator down at bantam,” he confirmed. “That’s the plan, anyway.”

With such tantalising tussles on the horizon it must be hard for Berry to get “up” for opponents such as Peredes, who is tough and near impossible to stop. What’s more, he’s faced some of the best in the business, including Birmingham’s Cori Gibbs and Royston Barney-Smith.

But the South American is now on a 29 bout losing streak. He’s brave but not high on ambition.

Berry stayed focused and got the job done professionally and without fuss. Also with fireworks.

He pumped out sharp jabs, nailed Peredes with body shots and landed a heavy right in the second.

To his credit, Peredes attempted to punch back in the third, but by now Nyall was slamming shots against his midriff.

And Peredes did fire back with head shots in the last as Berry eased off the gas. Both men scaled 9st 6lbs.

That was Berry’s fourth and final outing this year. 2026 will herald something of a new beginning in a new weight class and it will be interesting to see if Nyall carries the same thunderous power at bantam.