Barrett: Being in Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 has changed my life - 09/10/2009

COLEMAN Barrett believes being in Prizefighter has changed his life.

Barrett, 26, finished as Prizefighter Heavyweights III runner-up after wins over Scott Gammer and Carl Baker before losing to Audley Harrison in the final.

The majority of the 5,000 crowd at London’s ExCel were cheering for Barrett, who believes his Prizefighter performances will lead to him fighting for major title in the near future.

Coleman Barrett (right) defeated former British Champion Scott Gammer on the way to the Prizefighter final. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

“Audley lifted the trophy but I lifted the crowd,” said Barrett, who has now won ten of his 11 professional fights.

“The chants and cheers from the crowd were amazing and people who had never heard of me before were betting on me. Everybody keeps telling me I’m a champion even though I didn’t win Prizefighter.

“Before Prizefighter, people didn’t know me as a fighter or what I was capable of. But this has given me a massive boost and people now recognise me and know what I’m capable of so a big thank you to Barry Hearn, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports for giving me the opportunity.”

Barrett claimed a points victory over former British Champion Scott Gammer before doing the same to Carl Baker, the man who defeated current British Champion Danny Williams earlier in the night.

Despite being the lightest of the fighters, Barrett believes his future remains at heavyweight and would relish a second crack at Prizefighter.

Coleman Barrett says he would love to compete in another Prizefighter event

“I would never make cruiserweight,” said Barrett. “On Friday I was the lightest I’ve been in a long while at 15st 13lb and I would never make 14st 4lb.

“If there’s a Prizefighter next year then I would love to enter it. It was the best competition I’ve been in and best buzz I’ve ever had.

“Beating Scott Gammer was massive and that was my toughest fight. He didn’t want to go out and really wanted it. It was a really tough fight and he’s a very strong person but my work rate and speed paid off.

“I never expected Carl to beat Danny and I thought I’d be fighting Danny but I was confident of beating Carl, which I did.

“Danny Williams has been a brilliant sportsman for boxing and some people reckon it’s time for him to call it a day and hopefully, in his best interests, he does.

“Audley, in the final, showed he’s a very good boxer. He waited and waited and if I hadn’t got tired then anything could’ve happened.

“He caught me with a perfect shot but the one that did the damage was the one to the back of the head. But then he caught me bang on the button and he did what he came to do.

“He’s talked of getting a world title shot and anything is possible in boxing - all it takes is one punch. He’s a lot better boxer then people think. Some people think he’s no good but I have a lot of respect for him and he is a lovely fighter.

“Hopefully he can win the European title and I would like to see him win a big title. I had the ambition to win it but fair play to Audley, he did what he came there to do. I take my hat off to him.

“It was an absolutely brilliant night and I’ve never felt anything so good in my life. I really loved it and everybody that came said it was the best night of boxing they’ve ever seen in their lives.”