Thamesmead WBU welterweight champion Ryan Barrett’s boyhood dream of wearing the Lonsdale belt has come a step closer.

Barrett says the British title has always been his target despite missing out seven years ago and now the Lonsdale belt in his sights again after inking a deal with new manager Mickey Helliet.

Helliet has mapped out a plan for Barrett’s career, starting with a fight on his big show at the Camden Centre on April 11, and hopes to keep the Thamesmead ace winning to push him back into major title contention.

Frankie Gavin currently holds the British and Commonwealth belts but Barrett feels he will have to relinquish at least one of those crowns in order to make the step up to the global stage.

“I’m guessing he will vacate one or both of the titles and move on to world-title level,” the Thamesmead fighter explained.

“He’s definitely good enough to box at world level and I’ve got to get myself into a position where I can challenge for the British and Commonwealth titles if he does decide to vacate.

“In the past I’ve taken fights at short notice and gone abroad because it was either that or not fighting at all.

“I fought Amir Khan at seven days’ notice and that was a crazy thing to do, but I’ve got a plan now.

“I’ve got Mickey Helliet managing and promoting me, and I wish I had signed up with him years ago.

“Joining him is the best thing I’ve done in my 12-year career.”

Barrett believes he has also benefited from working with a strength and conditioning coach, having enjoyed back-to-back knockouts for the first time in his career.

He said: "My training is different now. I’m doing strength and conditioning work three times a week and can definitely feel the difference.

“I felt awesome in my last fight.”

Barrett is fuming after being overlooked for next week’s Prizefighter event and admits a TV snub has fired him up for his next fight, challenging the winner of Prizefighter to face him.

“I was told there was a good chance I would be in Prizefighter,” said the 31 year-old.

“But it hasn’t happened and I'm gutted.

“I’d love to have been given the chance to make a name for myself and win the £32,000.

“It doesn’t matter, my time will come, and whoever wins it I will be happy to fight them six weeks later.”

For ticket information on the April 11 show at the Camden Centre, call 07984 723720.

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