Jess stock rises after thrilling Tellez battle

Jess Barry…fight of the night performance on Birmingham big show

JESS Barry may have suffered defeat in her first foray into true world class, but her stock has risen immeasurably.

That’s because the Coventry Banshee proved she belonged with the elite. On MVP’s UK v USA card last night, televised by Sky Sports, the 32-year-old and Texan Reina Tellez were involved in a 10 round shoot-out that stole the show.

At Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live arena, Tellez, whose only loss came in a world featherweight title challenge, prevailed 96-94, but the 23-year-old was made to battle every second, every minute of every round. And the English champ had her moments, particularly in the fifth and seventh. There was quality, too, from the underdog, an uppercut that landed flush in the fifth was textbook top draw.

She showed immense courage and an extraordinarily strong chin, withstanding clumping right hands to bite on her gumshield and rally. The result was thrilling exchanges.

On the morning after the memorable night before, the positives outweigh the negative of defeat.

For a start, Barry’s wages were swelled by splitting a £10,000 prize for “performance of the night” with Tellez.

She’s also received an assurance of further opportunities on MVP shows from boss Jake Paul. Most importantly, everyone’s talking about Jess and that fight.

As her manager Jon Pegg put it: “That wouldn’t be the case if she nicked a win in a fight that stank.”

“Jess hasn’t been left alone since breakfast,” he said,” and MVP sent a lovely message saying they’re looking forward to having her on again, that she was a pleasure to work with.

“Tellez has gone 10 rounds for the unified world title, plus she was a world class amateur, and she knew how to nick rounds, fighting in burst, then having a rest for a minute. Importantly, Jess didn’t look out of place.

“Jess was devastated afterwards, but that’s Jess. She told me, ‘it’s all well and good, but I didn’t win’. There have been fights I’ve been offered before for Jess, after last night we know she’s ready for them. I think Jess will be a better fighter for that.”

Pegg’s assessment of the non-stop action tallies with mine – the difference was the cuteness Tellez has gained in her top level, 16 bout career. She’d land combinations – admittedly very eye-catching combinations, then allow Barry to fire back.

It was those burst of heavy punches the judges remembered – and they looked very meaty.

Yes, Tellez, docked a point in the sixth for low blows, carried the edge in power, and came out to impose herself from the first bell. Frankly, there were times in the first four rounds when I felt Barry was close to being overwhelmed as Tellez drove her back with big rights and hurtful body shots.

Barry simply refused to buckle or be bullied. The girl possesses a heart as big as a bucket.

“I was devastated,” she told me, “and I think because it was close, that made it harder. If I’d been beaten up I could say, that’s not my level. Now I’ve had time to reflect, I’m really happy with my performance. I gave the best performance I could’ve given, it was fight of the night.

“I felt comfortable, I had no nerves at all, I knew I was going to box well. I felt I proved the level I’m at.

“I think she was that bit sharper, she was throwing faster and sharper than I do. At the level I’ve boxed I’ve been able to wait and get my shots off.

“I lost the early rounds, which I expected – I thought she’d fade, but she didn’t. She stuck at it. I think the difference was just the experience, knowing when to relax and hold back and when to force the action.”

The Sky Sports commentary team were astonished by Barry’s ability to shrug off wrecking ball head shots. Jess insisted: “The only thing I felt were the body shots. Soggy (Paul Counihan in the corner) said, ‘you have a concrete jaw’. The head shots didn’t bother me.

“I introduced myself to Jake Paul and he said he’ll definitely have me back. I want to push for that top level.”

Tellez told Sky Sports: "I feel a little bit of ring rust, but overall I feel great. There were things that happened in the fight, but that's what comes with experience. I'm grateful for the platform and opportunity I've been given.

"She showed a lot of heart. A good opponent with a different style. I give her respect. But, overall, I dominated the fight."

That was Barry’s second loss in 12 contests.

*Jon Pegg has publicly thanked MVP and its British promoter Steve Wood for providing local amateur boxing clubs with free tickets to the arena show.