British title win would be 'dream' for Barney-Smith
· Yahoo Sports
Unbeaten boxer Royston Barney-Smith says he hopes to cement his status as a "contender, not a prospect" in the super-featherweight division when he fights for the British and Commonwealth titles on Friday night.
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The 22-year-old from Southampton will face Conor McIntosh on the undercard of Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Lorente's fight in Glasgow.
Barney-Smith has 15 wins to his name since turning professional in 2022 and comes into this contest off the back of a dominant victory over Danny Quartermaine in London.
That fight earned him the first senior titles of his professional career, picking up the WBO and IBF European super-featherweight straps.
The southpaw admitted he has his sights set on some big domestic fights should he come through Friday's bout for the iconic Lonsdale belt.
"I can't look over Conor McIntosh but winning that fight opens up a number of doors for me," Barney-Smith told BBC Sport.
"I would like to fight Reece Bellotti and Archie Sharp, those are the kind of fights I want to get into and Josh Padley at the end of the year would be nice.
"There are some big names and some very big plans for me. I would like to headline soon too but as long as I get big fights and entertain my fans that's enough for me.
"It would be a dream come true to win the British title and it would be a big statement for me at 22 years old - it would cement me as a contender and not a prospect any more."
Barney-Smith is promoted and managed by Frank Warren and will be fighting for the belts previously held by fellow Southampton boxer Ryan Garner.
"The Piranha" vacated the British and Commonwealth titles earlier in the year as he looks to achieve his goals on the world stage with a fight at St Mary's Stadium this summer.
Barney-Smith leaning on gym-mate Wood
Royston Barney-Smith is trained by Ben Davison [Getty Images]Barney-Smith has been training with Ben Davison in Harlow for the entirety of his professional career in a gym filled with current champions and contenders.
Davison has previously trained heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and now looks after young star Moses Itauma, as well as current WBO world champion Fabio Wardley.
But another member of that gym community that Barney-Smith has appreciated in recent times is former featherweight world champion Leigh Wood, who has been able to offer support and advice having had a successful 15-year career in the sport.
Wood recently won his rematch with rival Josh Warrington and held the British featherweight title in 2021.
"He's like a book of knowledge is Leigh," Barney-Smith added.
"He's been there and done it and worked from the ground up. I've asked him a lot of questions through my years at the gym and he's helped me a lot through my journey.
"It'll be lovely to accomplish what he has in my career, we've been chatting lots about this fight and I've been going through a few things with him in preparation."