MATTHEW BARNEY has been granted the chance to add the Commonwealth title to his British super middleweight crown.
In what promises to be one of the biggest ever nights in Southampton boxing history, Barney, pictured, will fight on the same bill at the York Hall, Bethnal Green as Lordshill's Colin Kenna who takes on Michael Sprott for the Southern Area heavyweight title on August 1.
Barney, who hails originally from Durley and now fights out of the Maloney Fight Factory, will face Ghanaian Charles Adamu for the Commonwealth championship belt.
If victorious it is planned for him then to defend the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight crowns against David Starie, who only last weekend lost a close points decision against German IBF and WBA champion Sven Ottke.
The Barney camp believe that victory in these two fights would put their fighter in line for a crack at either Ottke or Welsh WBO champion Joe Calzaghe.
But 28-year-old Barney first faces a crucial assignment for the Commonwealth title. Known as the Crusader, Adamu has only fought five times, but has won every bout and has the reputation of a dangerous puncher with knockouts in his last four fights.
The bout will be his first outside his native Ghana.
Barney, who also holds the Southern Area, IBO intercontinental and British Masters titles, won the prestigious British title back in March at Wembley when he out-pointed Basingstoke's Dean Francis.
He said: "I have been training ever since I won the British title and I can't wait to get back in the ring. I've been sparring with someone from Ghana who knows Adamu.
"They say he is a strong fighter who comes forward, but that should suit me okay. Winning the Commonwealth title will be a great honour, it is a belt that has a lot of history to it and it should be a great night for Southampton boxing."
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