Zelfa Barrett looks likely to continue his quest for a world title on November 25th on the undercard of the Chantelle Cameron – Katie Taylor rematch in Dublin.
Barrett (29-2, 16 KO’s) was heavily linked to an all British showdown with IBF super featherweight champion, Joe Cordina, but the Welshman’s decision to instead defend his title against Edward Vazquez in Monaco in November has forced the former European champion’s team to put together a plan B.
“I’m a problem for anybody,” Barrett told 32Red. “Trainers know when they see somebody who’s good. I’m fit, I’m strong. I’ve got every punch in the book and I can fight going back and going forwards. I’m the kind of fighter who they’ll think ‘Aw, do we need to fight him?’ I’m legit. I’m not a fake instagram boxer.
“My thing is consistency. I’m consistently consistent. No matter what happens, I’m in the gym. It’s frustrating waiting for a shot but it’s given me time to get better. These guys don’t know what they’re doing to me. It’s like Dragonball-Z when they go in the chamber and they’re just getting better. The time that they’re giving me, I’m just improving.
“Whoever gets put in the ring with me is going to pay for it. I’m going to make a statement doing it.
Barrett is desperate for a second crack at a world title. Last November he jumped at the opportunity to face Shavkat Rakhimov for the vacant IBF belt. Given just a few weeks notice, he performed well in his first real foray into world class, dropping the Tajik fighter in the third round and enjoying plenty of success with his trademark explosive bursts. Rakhimov ground away relentlessly but Barrett was still in the fight when a perforated ear drum robbed him of his balance and led to him being stopped after nine entertaining rounds.
Barrett feels his ability to compliment his slick style with explosive combination punching makes him a unique threat in a solid division.
“Joe Cordina’s kind of got it in spurts,” he said. “O’Shaquie Foster is a tidy boxer. One-two’s, straight shots and he switches sometimes. Emanuel Navarette is very Mexican. Looping shots and hooks. That Hector Garcia is very quick. A southpaw with fast twitch fibers.
“Who do I think is number one at 130lbs? Joe’s good but probably Navarette. He’s got a style where you think, ‘How do I deal with him?’ You’ve gotta be all purpose. Ready to fight, ready to box, ready to move, ready to push him back. When you fight certain fighters – like Joe, Foster or Garcia – you can stick to a gameplan. With Navarette I think you’ve gotta pack all your tools. Bring everything you’ve learned since you started boxing. His style is his own style. Even when he got put down by the Australian kid [Liam Wilson], he showed he’s a true champion by getting up to stop him.
“You don’t worry about the lions without scars, you worry about the lions with scars. They’ve been through it and know how to cope with certain pressures.”
Rather than allowing the defeat to Rakhimov to dent his confidence, Barrett grew in confidence from the way he dealt with the whole experience and is determined to snatch the next opportunity that comes his way.
“I’m waiting for confirmation but I think I’ll be fighting at the end of November but I know I’ve got another fight in March. I’m open to anything whenever. I’m an athlete so I’ve got to be ready. Some fighters probably just get in the gym because they’ve got a fight coming. I boxed in April and I’ve been in the gym since May.
“I’m happy that my promoter knows I’m a real fighter. Trainers know and the boxing public know. As long as they know that I’m a fighter and how good I am, I’m happy.”