British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Royston Barney-Smith has ambitions to “mix it with the best” at 130lbs after an impressive win in Dublin.
The 22-year-old from Southampton put on a classy performance on Saturday as he beat Reece Bellotti at the 3Arena on the undercard of Mark Chamberlain’s win against Pierce O’Leary.
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“Sugar Boy Roy” dominated “The Bomber” over 10 rounds, boxing well off the back foot as Bellotti came forward and picking his opponent apart at times with ease.
Barney-Smith threatened to end the fight early as he landed a flush right hook in the first round that saw Bellotti momentarily stumble before regaining his feet.
After then cruising to a comfortable victory, the southpaw outlined his desire to build on his current streak of momentum, now unbeaten across 17 fights.
“I want to set records and do things that haven’t been done,” he told BBC Sport.
“I love being the British champion but if a world title opportunity comes up then I would have no issues with taking that kind of fight now.
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“There are some legendary world champions in this division, but I believe that I can mix it with the best and I will be amongst the stars in the future.
“I’m ranked highly within every organisation now and whatever opportunity comes up I have no problems with it.”
After victory, Barney-Smith was handed another title to his now six belt collection – the IBO intercontinental belt which is the fifth he has won in the past 10 months.
The unbeaten fighter then wasted no time in calling out the current holder of the full IBO 130lbs title, Irishman Jono Carroll who has 26 wins with three defeats.
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“It’s a good fight and I’ve now put myself in a great position for it,” Barney-Smith added.
“He’s either got to fight me or vacate the title, I’d happily have it back in Dublin or we could even fight at the O2 or down in Bournemouth, it doesn’t fuss me.
“It’s a good time to be from the south coast at the moment, there’s a number of us all pushing on forward at the moment and we’re flying the flag.”
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