World title shot next on agenda for Castleford's British champion Anthony Holmes

The 35 year old added the super-middleweight belt to his light-heavyweight title with a points win over Ryan Barrett.

BKB TM co-owner Jim Freeman promised: “It’s a world title for Anthony next.”

Holmes was set to fight for world honours last year before the covid-19 pandemic ruined those plans, but he’s on the brink again now after outpointing Barrett to become a two-weight British champion.

Barrett came from Leicester with an impressive pedigree. He had around 30 amateur bouts, trains with former world-class pro boxers and was coming off a stunning one-round win.

But Holmes was too good for him, outboxing him and dropping him in the third on the way to a unanimous points win.

Holmes landed the crucial first blows and Barrett struggled to find an answer to his smooth switch hitting.

Barrett had more success in the third – before Holmes whacked him on the chin with a right hand.

The punch dropped Barrett and though he got up, Holmes hurt him again with body shots in the fourth.

That was followed by a dominant final round from Holmes, who dedicated the victory to his late father, Dean.

“Losing dad has given me extra drive,” he said. “I want to win a couple of world titles.”