The fight which will take place in the Everton Sports Centre on Friday, July 4 was due to take place in May but had to be called off after Barnes (27) suffered a gum infection following the removal of a wisdom tooth.

Barnes, who already holds the Lonsdale belt outright at welterweight, claimed the vacant light-welterweight title with a points victory over Ted Baimi in his home town of Manchester in March.

Morrison (28) was champion from January 2007 to June 2007 after beating Lenny Daws in London but lost the title in his first defence against Colin Lynes in Motherwell Civic Centre.

At the time Morrison considered quitting the sport but stepped back in the ring that October to beat Arek Malek and in his last fight in February of this year was victorious over Billy Smith.

Morrison said: "Barnes has been there and done it. He's now a two-weight British champion, having held the welterweight title earlier in his career, and he's generally been in with a better class of opponent than I have.

"So I'm definitely the underdog, probably even more so than I was against Daws. I'm confident I can cause another upset, but I will probably have to box even better than I did against Daws.

"Barnes is a bit slicker, although I'm not sure he can fight at a high pace for 12 rounds, which is something I'll try to do.

"It is not nice when you are introduced as the former champion and I'm determined to get that belt back.

"I loved everything about being champion, it was great walking down the street and people congratulating you. I felt terrible when I lost it. It took me a long time to get over it."

Morrison, who trains at Forgewood ABC, began his professional career in 2003 and has a record of 16-2-0, while Barnes first professional fight was in 2001 and his record is 23-1-1.

Morrison's manager Tommy Gilmour is in no doubt this will be his man's toughest fight but believes he needs a major win to further his career.

He said: "Barnes is a major player and stopping Kevin McIntyre in eight rounds proves what a formidable opponent he can be.

"However, he is dropping down from welterweight so there will be an opportunity for Barry to stamp his authority early.

"There is a real change in Barry's demeanour and I hope we're on to a winner.

"Without a doubt this is his toughest fight but there are so many great fighters and match-ups to be made at light-welterweight so if Barry can get a victory over a highly respected name like Barnes then it will more than make up for the past.

"I chose Liverpool as the venue as there was no chance of getting Barnes up to Scotland but I reckoned that as he's Mancunian the Scousers are more likely to get behind Barry and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the biggest cheer of the night."

The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports.