By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com speaks to light welterweight prospect Ty Barnett (16-0) as he prepares for his October 10th bout with Juan Santiago. Barnett has been out of the ring for almost a year and is ready to continue on his quest to title contention under new promoter Prize Fight Boxing. See what Barnett had to say in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: What is new with you Ty?
Ty Barnett: Well I have just been training. I am getting prepared for this fight on October 10th against Juan Santiago. I have just been staying busy with that.
BoxingScene.com: Tell us about the fight.
Ty Barnett: All I can tell you is that there is going to be fireworks. I haven't been in active in about a year almost and I am just anxious to get back in the ring and do what I do best.
BoxingScene.com: Speaking of that you haven't been in the ring in about eleven months. Are you concerned at all about ring rust?
Ty Barnett: Not really because you know throughout the whole eleven months I have been in the gym everyday because I had plenty of fights scheduled and they would fall out. I don't think I will have too much ring rust. If there is some ring rust I will shake it off early.
BoxingScene.com: Is the reason you haven't fought in eleven months because your fights kept falling through?
Ty Barnett: Yes that is exactly the reason why. Sometimes the fighters would pull out but mainly it was because of the different promoters. Now I am signed with Prize Fight so I feel like I won't have that problem anymore. It was mainly the promoters because up till this time I wasn't signed (to any promoter).
BoxingScene.com: What are the keys to your fight with Juan Santiago?
Ty Barnett: Pretty much I don't know too much about the guy. I haven't ever seen him fight. I know he has a decent record of 9-2 with one draw and six knockouts. I guess I just have to make the adjustments during the fight. I am pretty sure that he won't be anything I haven't seen before. I am in the gym with the best talent in the world with Anthony and Lamont (Peterson) and Dominic Wade and Fernando Guerrero. I spar with these guys everyday so I don't think there is anything this guy can show me that I haven't seen in any of my past fights are my experiences in the gym.
BoxingScene.com: Your fight is in Maryland a couple hours from your Washington DC home. How does it feel to fight so close to home?
Ty Barnett: I will have a lot of family and friends making the trip up. Most definitely the crowd will be supporting me. I tell you what that crowd out there (Salisbury, Maryland) they come out for Fernando (Guerrero) who is headling the card. They show a tremendous amount of support for him so I am his stablemate and and friend so I think they will be pulling for me more than anything.
BoxingsSene: What are your plans for 2010? I assume you want to me more active next year.
Ty Barnett: Just to keep winning and hopfully get a NABO shot and win that then get ranked in the top 10 or 15 by the WBO and keep stacking up wins. I just want to keep pushing towards a title shot.
BoxingScene.com: Do you think if you can get five or six solid wins next year that 2011 will be the year you get your shot at a major title?
Ty Barnett: Yeah I think so. The chances are good that in 2011 I will be fighting for a world title.
BoxingScene.com: Who do you think wins the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight?
Ty Barnett: I think Cotto will win. I am with him. I think he will get him because of his size and power.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Ty Barnett: Like I say all the time you know I am going to give you your money's worth. I love knockouts. That is what I do. I am very fan friendly so come out and show your support and I won't let you down.