MTK Global signs National Champion Barney Stokes

MTK Global is delighted to announce the signing of former two-time national champion and tri-nations gold medallist Barney Stokes.

As an amateur, Stokes had plenty of success, with the Burnley boxer having over 60 fights and representing England, winning titles at schoolboy and junior level along the way.

Boxing has been a key part of his life since birth, as his father, Edward, won several amateur titles with Repton Boxing Club, while his brothers – Tom, John and Edward – have all boxed too.

The 19-year-old will now enter the paid ranks under the guidance of MTK Manchester’s Johnney Roye, and Stokes is relishing the new opportunity.

Stokes said:“I am honoured to be part of MTK Global as they are the best in professional boxing and I know they will push me to reach my goals.

“It feels great to be alongside some huge names. The boxers they have are some of the best in the world so it makes me very excited about what I can achieve as a boxer.

“I am from an Irish traveller background and I have boxed since I was seven. Boxing runs in the family. My grandfather, father and brothers have all boxed.

“Outside the ring I would consider myself a very nice jolly fella, but when I enter the ring it’s almost like I flip a switch and become somebody’s nightmare.

“Boxing has always been my greatest passion and main focus in life. My goal was always to become a professional boxer. As an amateur boxer I had over 60 fights, won a schoolboy title, a junior title and a gold medal in the tri-nations. All of those were achieved before I was 16.

“Becoming a professional boxer is something I have always wanted. I look forward to working with MTK to reach my full potential, and within the next 12 months I hope to have a good amount of fights and experience under my belt so that I can start putting my name out there.”

MTK Global’s Johnney Roye added“We’re pleased to welcome Barney Stokes to the team. He’s been training at the MTK Manchester gym for a while now and looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.

“He is the latest talented youngster to team up with MTK Global, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he is capable of in the paid ranks.”

News on when Stokes will be making his professional debut will be announced in due course.

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

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BENTLEY vs CASH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS

HALL OF FAME PROMOTER Frank Warren today hosted the final head-to-head press conference between British Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley (14-0-1, 12 KOs) and Commonwealth title holder Felix Cash (13-0, 9 KOs).

Both titles will be on the line when the bitter rivals meet on Saturday (April 24) live on BT Sport.

Here is a selection of quotes from today’s presser.

FRANK WARREN

This fight came about because the British Boxing Board of Control ordered it. Denzel and Felix didn’t want to withdraw from it. It went out to purse bids which we (Queensberry) won and it’s on.

I don’t think it gets any better than this. Both guys are undefeated, they have similar records and I think you are going to see something a little bit special. I understand there is no love lost from sparring, and was there unofficial sparring out of the ring? 

This has got the hallmarks of a classic fight in a division that Britain has always flown the flag in. You can go back over the years and look at some of the great British and Commonwealth Middleweight title fights. This, definitely has a great chance of being up there as far as quality and action are concerned. As a boxing fan I’m looking forward to it. 

There was a lot of talk, that Tony Sims (Felix’s trainer) said he was considering not taking the fight and moving on, but hats off to them. 

We won the purse bids and they are having the fight. From the fans point of view it doesn’t get any better than this. The one who has the skills and wants it the most will come through. 

I have an opinion about the fight and that is why we got behind Denzel in the purse bids. We believe in him. If Denzel comes through this as we expect him to then he will move on and into a position where he gets a world title fight. 

Denzel hasn’t come through the easy way. It has been tough. I lost a main event on a televised dinner show on the day. 

Denzel had been sparring ten rounds, but he jumped at a fight that night and stopped Serge Ambomo. That tells me a lot about him. It shows me a guy who believes in himself. He has looked better and better. He is a credit to himself and his trainer Martin Bowers. 

If good guys win he comes through this weekend. Fans are going to see something special between two talented fighters. There is competition between them, their promoters. The whole thing smacks of electricity. It will be exciting while it lasts.

DENZEL BENTLEYI am very proud to be British Middleweight champion. I have been everywhere with the belt. I’ve shown it off to let everyone know about my achievements. I am proud. I think Felix will regret taking this fight. 

Felix believes he is world level, but go through his opponents and there is nothing to suggest he is at that level, but every fighter needs to believe they are. I believe I am world level and he believes I’m not, so we will see. 

There is the sparring story with Felix. We both did four rounds sparring then jumped back in with each other. We were going at it and he started hitting low and behind the head – all the little dirty tricks he likes to do. Then it got heated, he got upset and it turned into a little scrap but it’s in the past. He says I was clinging on for dear life – well we will see on Saturday.

I do everything better than Felix. Is he gonna turn up with his dirty tricks? He is a dirty fighter. Everyone has seen it in his fights before. He does it well and gets away with it a lot, but it’s not going to bother me. I reckon I am going to stop him even if he doesn’t have chinks in his armour.

FELIX CASH

Every British fighter wants to win the British title and that is what I want to do. Denzel is in my way so let’s get it on. I cannot wait to get my hands on the British belt. 

There were other options on the table, but we sat down and spoke as a team. We had a look at Denzel and just said, ‘Let’s go for it.’ 

I would have preferred it was on a Matchroom show, but it doesn’t make any difference to me, a ring is a ring and the best man will win on the night. I believe I am world level and I don’t believe that Denzel is. 

He is a decent domestic fighter. I believe I am a level above him and I will show him on Saturday night. Styles make fights. I believe I am better and I will prove that. We will sort it out man to man and the best man will win. I believe that man is going to be me. 

He has been doing a world tour with that belt. I hope he has enjoyed it because it is leaving him on Saturday night. 

I am going to be in front of him and he will have to deal with it. Am I a dirty fighter? I am what I am. I am a very good fighter and I am going to show Denzel. I will win the fight by stoppage. Let’s just put on a good fight for the fans.

Also on the bill, former British Light-Heavyweight champion and world title challenger Callum Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) challenges Bosnia’s Emil Markic (32-2, 24 KOs) for the vacant WBO Global title.Some of the best prospects in the Queensberry stable are also on show including London Heavyweight banger David Adeleye (5-0, 5 KOs) who boxes a six rounder.Also in six round action, York Super-Welterweight George Davey (3-0) who meets Jamie Stewart (2-1-1) and Super-Lightweight Henry Turner (4-0). In four rounders are Liverpool Middleweight James Heneghan (4-0) and Chatham Light-Heavyweight Karol Itauma (1-0) a Youth Olympic Gold Medallist.

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