Pryce condemns Barnes fight delay

Pryce is the nearly man of Welsh boxing

David Barnes has pulled out of his British welterweight defence against Bradley Pryce, scheduled for 4 March.

The fight is expected to be re-arranged after the champion cited influenza as reason for the delay, but Welshman Pryce accused Barnes of running scared.

"Barnes is faking it so he can hold on to his title longer," said Pryce.

"This will give him extra time to prepare but he's only kidding himself because I will take the Lonsdale belt from him when I knock him out."

I'm coming for Pryce and I'll knock him out when I'm fit and ready David Barnes

Mancunian Barnes hit back by saying: "I'm not going to take the risk by going into the fight with Pryce when I'm unfit.

"I'm gutted that the fight has had to be put back because I want to knock Pryce clean out for what he's been saying.

"I'm coming for Pryce and I'll knock him out when I'm fit and ready. He has really wound me up with his big mouth and I will prove to him that I am running from no one."

Barnes (17-0) nicked the title from Jimmy Vincent in 2003 and won a Lonsdale belt outright with a stoppage of James Hare last November.

Pryce (20-5) has lost five of his last nine encounters but had a good win over previously unbeaten Russian Sergey Styopkin last December.