BOXER Matthew Barney has world titles on his mind after Sunday's impressive points victory.
The Southampton fighter displayed his renowned silky skills to comfortably defend his Southern Area belt against Jamaican Olympian Chris Nembhard over ten rounds at Elephant & Castle in London.
Barney's next fight will be a defence of his IBO intercontinental title at the end of November, before a possible shot at a British, European or even World title.
The 28-year-old super middleweight switched management to London's Maloney Fight Factory during the summer and is revelling in the new stable.
And manager Eugene Maloney, the brother of Lennox Lewis's long-time manager, Frank, is certain Barney is good enough to make his mark on what is the glamour division of British boxing.
He said: "He is getting a few fights under his belt and we are very pleased with him.
"We are looking to the end of November for his next fight. After that we are looking for a big fight.
"It is a very good division indeed and Matthew is a very clever fighter. He is a lot better than a lot of people think and he is capable of raising his level if a better opponent was put in front of him.
"I rate him as one of the top three super-middleweights in the country and wouldn't be frightened of putting him in the ring against anyone."
Possible future fights could include WBO title holder Joe Calzaghe, WBF champion Robin Reid, IBO king Brian Magee or British and Commonwealth champion David Starrie.
There is also the mouth-watering possibility of a bout against Portsmouth's Tony Oakey - himself a world champion at light heavyweight.
Maloney said: "Oakey is promoted by my brother Frank and it would be a great fight. It is not impossible that it will happen one day.
"Matthew has done really well since joining us. It is a very friendly gym, we all bounce off each other.
"When he comes into the gym he is going to work and he is happy in his place of work and getting the benefit. I am quite excited about him."
Barney was delighted with his win against Nembhard, who is ranked as high as 13 in the British super middleweight rankings.
He said: "He is a big puncher so it was quite a dangerous fight. But I was able to control the first few rounds.
"In the middle rounds he stepped it up and caught me with some good shots but I was never in any trouble.
"Later on I was completely in control and almost stopped him in the tenth - he was all over the place."
Barney also took a verbal swipe at Pompey's Oakey, who he believes is ducking him.
He said: "He has talked about coming down to super middleweight and I would be happy to step up to light heavyweight.
"His style would be perfect for me and I know I would beat him. I want to get him soon because, if his last fight was anything to go by, he won't be world champion for too much longer."
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