Ryan Barrett’s life has been boxing. From the age of 7, it was an outlet that came naturally to him, flourishing in a hard-working environment at Eltham ABC.
As an amateur Ryan asserted his dominance, winning 60 of his 75 fights, as he took four national championships, as well as English and International titles respectively. Toward the latter stages of his teens, it was becoming increasingly clear that a future in professional boxing loomed.
He made the transition into the professional game look easy, recording early wins over Gareth Wiltshaw, Jason Gonzalez and Martin Turner. And continued to grab attention throughout his career, as the likes of Amir Khan, Willie Limmond and Dierry Jean looked to test themselves against a higher calibre of fighter.
With 44 professional fights under his belt, Ryan recorded 30 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws – a proper record, where no opponent was avoided. With career highs including the destruction of Mark Alexander to win the International title, the overhaul of Femi Femetola to snatch up the English title and the trouncing of Jamie McKeever to claim the British Master’s title.
Ryan was also able to fulfil a childhood dream, winning the WBU World welterweight title in Germany, a fight made all the sweeter as he was able to avenge a previous defeat, in Geoffrey Munika.
Now retired, Ryan has shifted his focus towards the coaching and training side of the sport, following the same path as his father. He coached the Cayman Islands national team to various international medals, and qualified them for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where they performed well.
