FORMER world super-featherweight title challenger Zelfa Barrett has an opinion why none of the current champions are choosing to fight him.
The 31-year-old is back on VIP Boxing’s November 30 card in Bolton, to be shown live on the Boxing News YouTube channel, seven months after stopping Jordan Gill in 10 rounds.
Barrett fought for the vacant IBF 130lb belt two years and made a great start dropping Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in the third session. The Mancunian couldn’t maintain his success, however, and saw his first world title tilt waved off in round nine after being on the floor twice.
The Matchroom fighter has picked up three wins since then and is eager for another crack at one of the four belts in 2025.
“That’s why I’m so desperate to fight and to be a world champion,” Barrett told the VIP Boxing YouTube channel.
As things stand the current title holders at 130lbs are Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), Anthony Cacace (IBF), O’Shaquie Foster (WBC) and Lamont Roach (WBA). Navarrete defends against Oscar Valdez on December 7, Cacace could face mandatory challenger Eduardo Nunez early next year, Foster won his title back from Robson Conceicao on November 2 and Lamont Roach is waiting on a new date to challenge Gervonta Davis at lightweight. Barrett, who is ranked at four with the WBA and six with the IBF, may have to wait even longer for a second opportunity.
“I believe I’m better than the rest of the world champions. I think they know it too, because no one’s not asking to fight me,” ‘Barrett said.
Barrett will turn 32 next summer but the ‘Brown Flash’ is confident the best is still to come.
“I’m excited to fight in big fights now because there’s still another style that I’ve not had to show yet, really. They’ve not seen the full potential.
“Some people develop mentally and physically differently to others. You get some fighters that have developed when they’re only 20, 24. Maybe when they’re 29, they just dip. And I feel like I’m one of them fighters where mentally I matured later, physically I matured later.”
With a successful run out on November 30 Barrett will expect 2025 can be the year he unlocks his full potential and win a world title.