FORMER paratrooper David Barnes has been singled out by promoter Frank Warren as the cream of the latest crop of young British boxing talents.

The 21-year-old from Partington is an explosive welterweight who is being carefully schooled by Brian Hughes at the Collyhurst and Moston Academy.

And he is already starting to get rave reviews after winning his first four professional fights, three of them by second-round knockouts.

Barnes has his next outing at Manchester Evening News Arena on February 9, on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's latest WBU light-welterweight title defence.

And the normally cautious Hughes is prepared to stick his neck out as far as his young prodigy is concerned, saying: "I honestly believe that by this time next year he will be British champion.

"Frank Warren phoned me this week and says he believes David could be our next big superstar. I won't disagree with him, but I think it's too early to be saying things like that about the lad.

"But David has been sparring with Gary Lockett for a fortnight, and I know that Gary has been impressed with his movement, speed and punching."

Lockett is another rising British star, who will fight for his first title at the Arena after racing to 15 straight pro wins, 12 of them inside the distance.

But Hughes feels Barnes, who won four national titles as a schoolboy, has real star potential: "He has that bit of polish, and the only way he will keep improving is by having regular fights.

"When he goes in that ring he gives 100 per cent, and he also gives value for money. He knows what he wants and is focussed on getting it.

"I believe in bringing boxers along slowly, but fellows like him, with four national titles as a schoolboy and then a spell in the Paras, tend to grow up very quickly."