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.
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.