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Barnes aims for Vincent after knockout

17/12/2003

DAVID Barnes knocked out any doubts over his title credentials with a commanding display at the MEN arena on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old Collyhurst and Moston welterweight stopped Scottish champion Kevin McIntyre in the eighth round of his British title defence after soaking up some early pressure to come on strong as the challenger tired.

Barnes, who was missing Brian Hughes in his corner - the trainer away with stablemate Robin Reid in Germany - first made his mark in the fifth round with some brutal combinations and then stepped up the heat with a body shot followed by a shuddering right which had McIntyre on the canvas.

The hardy Scot got up, but was finished off by the next blow leaving Barnes to celebrate an impressive win.

Hughes' lad is now keen for a rematch against Jimmy Vincent whom he beat on a controversial points decision earlier in the year.
Barnes' victory was the perfect build-up to Ricky Hatton's best performance of his career.

The Hyde boxer put on a power show to dismiss Ghanaian Ben Tackie with a comfortable points decision.

The Hitman bossed the opening two rounds, but was ruffled slightly by some after-the-bell shenanigans from the challenger in the third and fifth.

He regained his composure, however, and roughed up Tackie in the sixth with a stream of unrelenting punches.

The final five rounds were equally enthralling, as Tackie attempted to get a foothold in the contest. But despite catching a hook flush in the 11th, Hatton held on for a popular victory in front of his home town followers.