Jess eases back with bout against Webber

Jess Barry…two fights next month, then title charge. Pic: Aidan Hewitt

JESS Barry – a fighter in a hurry – will face newcomer Tracey Webber in the plush setting of Cannock’s Excelsior Club on March 5.

Just 22 days later, the Coventry hope is in action again, this time at Sports Connexion in her home city. There, she’ll face veteran Gemma Ruegg over eight rounds.

Promoter Scott Murray is keen to get the 31-year-old back firing on all cylinders after being sidelined for close to a year through injury. He and manager Jon Pegg want “The Banshee” to contest a major title in 2026.

The clash with Cheshire’s Webber, on the Excelsior’s popular St Patrick’s dinner show, looks very much a rust-shedding exercise.

But, especially in women’s boxing, fight statistics can be misleading. Webber – an unknown commodity – could prove a firecracker.

She has only one bout on her record – a loss to Svitlana Vasylevska back in 2023. Webber’s coming back against an aggressive boxer with only one defeat in nine who has claimed the English featherweight belt and also captured Midlands and Commonwealth silver honours.

Barry was steaming towards very big things before having to take an injury break following last April’s victory over Laela El Ksiri in France. She’s eager to make up for lost time.

It’s been quite a catalogue of physical damage. “Neck, foot, shoulder…,” said Pegg. “I think it’s all the running she does – she does a lot of running for fun on top of her training.

“Two fights to check all the injuries are good, then we look for a really good title.”

And don’t rule out Barry becoming a world champ, Pegg warned.

“She wasn’t an elite amateurs, but a lot of women winning world titles were not elite amateurs. She works super hard, is a real pleasure to work with, is dedicate, she can fight and punch. If we can get a real good title, then it’s a case of what comes next.”