SOUTHAMPTON'S only ever world boxing champion has sensationally given up his title without throwing so much as a punch.

Matthew Barney realised a lifetime's ambition exactly a year ago when he shocked the boxing world to defeat Portsmouth rival Tony Oakey for the WBU light-heavyweight crown.

But in a stunning admission, Barney says he is GLAD to get rid of a belt which he blames for almost wrecking his career.

"To me, it never really felt like a proper world title," he said. "It was nice to beat Tony Oakey and prove people wrong, but the title did nothing for me and I'm vacating it.

"For my career I would have been better off losing and keeping the British super-middleweight title I already had at the time."

After 12 months waiting and hoping to take on the likes of Joe Calzaghe and even American legend Roy Jones Jnr, Barney has now decided to pursue his ambitions away from the sanctions of the WBU.

It means the Bishop's Waltham man will never defend the crown he won in front of Oakey's fervent home fans in Portsmouth.

Barney has since agreed to box Thomas Ulrich for the European light-heavyweight crown in what promises to be an explosive Guy Fawkes night on November 5.

The 30-year-old had originally expected to box Ulrich this Saturday, but that was put-back after the German went down with a cold.

"I'm just hoping that nothing else comes up which could ruin this," said Barney. "It's been a nightmare past year but this is now a massive opportunity.

"On the world scene Ulrich is a big name and could set me up for a world title chance against one of the big names.

"I was told that I couldn't keep the WBU title if I took this fight and the European title is a belt that seems to mean more to people in the sport world-wide."

Barney's fight with Ulrich will take place in Braunschweig and represents easily his toughest ever test.

The defending European champion has been beaten just once in 28 fights - and that was back in 2001 against current IBF world champion Glencoffe Johnson.

Since then, he has won 20 consecutive fights and has knocked out 15 of his last 18 opponents. Ulrich, rated number two in the world by the WBC, has fought all but one of his bouts in Germany.

"I've seen tapes of him and he is very dangerous," added Barney. "He is patient, but will knock people out when he gets the chance. He is a good finisher so I will just have to make sure he doesn't get to me."