Super-featherweight Royston Barney-Smith says the atmosphere inside trainer Ben Davison’s gym is “unbelievable.”
The 20-year-old from Southampton is undefeated, with 12 victories, signed to Frank Warren’s Queensberry promotions.
As well as training Barney-Smith, Davison is currently responsible for the likes of Anthony Joshua, British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma to name a few.
He has also previously worked with the likes of Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders.
“The atmosphere in there is unbelievable,” Barney-Smith told BBC Sport.
“We have Olympians, world champions and great prospects in the gym. There is a great level of coaching with Ben, Lee Wylie and Barry Smith.”
“You couldn’t wish for a better team. I believe it’s one of the best in the world.
The southpaw’s most recent bout was an impressive knockout victory against Colombian Carlos Rayo at York Hall in London.
Barney-Smith hurt his opponent with a devastating body shot in the second round and Rayo failed to beat the count.
Born in Dorset, Barney-Smith grew up in Southampton and wants to fight at the football club’s 32,000 capacity St Mary’s Stadium.
“I do really believe that one day I can get into St Mary’s for a world title fight.” Barney-Smith said.
“But any arena will do me. to be honest, as long as my fans can be there and I have an opportunity to fight for a belt, that is all that matters.”
Barney-Smith will be a ‘handful for anybody’
Promoter Frank Warren continues to be impressed by one of his stable’s most recent emerging talents.
Since signing with Queensberry, Barney-Smith has been given the opportunity to fight at some of the biggest venues in the country, including Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“He’s still maturing and got to gain what we call ‘man strength’,” Warren told BBC Sport.
“But the moves he’s got and the boxing knowledge he is gaining is fabulous and Ben is doing a great job with him.
“As he gets stronger he’s going to get better and he will be handful for anybody. I like his composure in the ring and he listens.
“Between all of us we’re a good team and as far as Hampshire is concerned they’re going to have a big star in the future.”
Warren is keen to host one of his Queensberry shows on the south coast, with the likes of Ryan Garner and Mark Chamberlain also from Hampshire and collecting wins on his events.
Southampton’s Garner was most recently in action when he defeated Londoner Archie Sharp at the O2 Arena to successfully defend his WBC International title.
Lightweight Chamberlain tasted defeat for the first time in his career over the summer when he lost to Josh Padley at Wembley on the undercard of Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua.
“We’re going to announce that (show on the south coast) we hope soon,” Warren added.
“My office have been speaking to a venue down there so fingers crossed we can get the dates pencilled in soon.
“The show would be the best of Hampshire, all those really good quality young fighters on a card down there, that would be something special.”
