Zelfa Barrett Inks With Eddie Hearn

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Press Release

Zelfa Barrett has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his highly-anticipated Sky Sports debut on the blockbuster Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin bill at Manchester Arena on Saturday May 2.

Regarded as one of the hottest prospects in British boxing, Barrett (23-1, 14 KOs) landed the Commonwealth Title with a shutout points win over British rival Lyon Woodstock at the First Direct Arena in Leeds back in June 2019.

Nephew of former European Super-Lightweight Champion Pat Barrett, ‘Brown Flash’ has won 23 of his 24 professional fights, with 14 of those wins coming by way of knockout, and the 26-year-old hopes to kick on to World Title contention, starting with a big performance in his home city.

“This is a new chapter, there’s some big opportunities for me,” said Barrett. “I want to keep picking up belts and improving, I’ve got the capabilities to go all the way. I believe in my own ability. I’ve had two good wins on the bounce and now I’m looking to push on in 2020 and beyond.

“I wouldn’t waste anyone’s time if I didn’t believe I could win a World Title, this is why I’m here - to win a World Title. There’s no one in my weight category I fear, I’m ready to fight anyone with the right preparation and notice. I admire fighters in and around my weight but there’s no one I would avoid.

“Fighting in my own city of Manchester is a very important thing for me. May 2 will be a great occasion to mark my Matchroom debut. I’m not just taking part, I’m there boxing on the big stage with Dillian Whyte and Katie Taylor. My style is exciting. I’ve got speed, I can punch. Sometimes I surprise myself with what I can do, the fans will need to sit up and watch every second of every round.”

"I’m delighted to welcome Zelfa to the team - he has a huge future ahead of him," said Eddie Hearn. "We have recently seen two Manchester World Champions depart from the sport and the city is crying out for a new star - I feel Zelfa is the man to carry the torch and we will give him all the opportunities to make his way to the very top of the sport."

[margaret thatcher]

Good to see he's got 'Pride'

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Wonder if he was under contract at Queensberry or just in a fight-by-fight basis.

[jameswilson]

He’ll be on the Manchester card then.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He’ll be on the Manchester card then.

Yes. Probably won’t be fighting anyone with a pulse and go on before the show goes on PPV.

[Joel2]

Sometimes that’s the right thing but he’s coming off a good win so hopefully he will be in a good fight. A fighter announced on a card without an opponent never ends up with a good test really. Happening a lot on match room cards - for example benn and buatsi who should be having a big step up but it’s sounding like they will be against average opponents.

[chiggsy]

"Brown flash" is the shittest ring alias since doctor iron fist.

[PredatorHayds]

Saw Zelfa at a Manchester show a couple of years ago.
Seemed a nice guy. Took time out speaking and having photos with everyone.
Surprised he’s left FW. He was well thought of over there. Could just become a cog in a wheel at Matchroom.

[maverick23]

Saw Zelfa at a Manchester show a couple of years ago.
Seemed a nice guy. Took time out speaking and having photos with everyone.
Surprised he’s left FW. He was well thought of over there. Could just become a cog in a wheel at Matchroom.

I’m not surprised he chose to leave. His last fight was mid October and he had nothing lined up, even with the lack of shows on BT.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Saw Zelfa at a Manchester show a couple of years ago.
Seemed a nice guy. Took time out speaking and having photos with everyone.
Surprised he’s left FW. He was well thought of over there. Could just become a cog in a wheel at Matchroom.

I’m not surprised he chose to leave. His last fight was mid October and he had nothing lined up, even with the lack of shows on BT.

11 UK cards on BT Frank promoted last year.. Supposed to be 20 domestic a year since 2017.

[Wee Tommy]

Just hope he’s not a flash in the pan.

[Avitar]

surprised hearn has signed him... think his stock dropped big time after the loss to clark

[maverick23]

He signed Corolla after he’d lost quite a few (including being stopped by Derry Matthews and beat twice by Gary Sykes) and both did well out of it.

Manchester is a great city if you’re a well promoted fighter - they really get behind their own so if Zelfa can put a few good wins together on undercards then in 18 months he could be headlining some shows there.

[margaret thatcher]

Well perhaps judging by some recent made shows Edster is planning Zelfa vs Artif Ali as main event for a huuuge domestic card, live and exclusive on Sky Sports. Perhaps Zelfa may even get to co-headline a Tel Harper megabill one day, live and exclusive on Sky Sports of course

[joshj909]

surprised hearn has signed him... think his stock dropped big time after the loss to clark

That's the only fight I've seen him in and he didn't look any good to me. Haven't paid any attention to him since because of it.

[JamieM]

Very delusional person is zelfa. Watch his interviews and there insane. Talks of learning from loss, he stepped up, then went back down a level. No offence to jordan mccorry or Woodstock but neither are better than ronnie. Ronnie stopped jordy and Woodstock sparred ronnie and isnt at level. Started off no excuses then all of a sudden theres a shed load. 2 weeks notice...lies. never knew how many rounds...lies. there was talk of clark v barrett in the december and they tried to catch ronnie out who was just back. Ronnie took a tune up and called there bluff and they thought short notice but they were ready. Hes moved platforms to avoid the other guys it's that simple. The matchroom guys at super feather are better match ups for him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Crolla and Quigg have gone. Hearn needs some Manchester boxers.. not Zelfa’s biggest fan, but he does have a small following.

[bripez]

He is another Tyrone Nurse

[JamieM]

Good comparison there. Hes a neat and tidy boxer but in both his recent fights he clearly lacks power. Ronnie told me at no stage in the fight was he ever feeling it, also said the same about MJW. As for fans zelfa had about 5 people in london. Ronnie sold more tickets than zelfa that night. This is where fish eyes messes up, ego gets the better of him.

[bripez]

What’s happening with Ronnie - has he retired ?

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BBN's Anish Parekh took a look into the possibilities out there:


Joe Cordina

This would be a great clash between two men attempting to progress their careers.

Cordina is a 2016 Olympian with good fundamentals, respectable power and has impressed with his performances so far. However, at 28 years old, he will be frustrated with spells of inactivity that has stunted his development.

A contest with Barrett would surely be a step up in competition and both men have plenty to gain from claiming the others scalp, as it would serve as a significant victory to make the rest of the division pay attention.


Stephen Smith

When a Scouser and Mancunian engage in any competition, it becomes a heated battle fueled by pride, whereby the winner claims bragging rights for their beloved city.

Imagine Manchester or Echo Arena packed to the rafters with avid fans creating a raucous atmosphere. Their chants and cheers providing their fighter with the energy needed to edge superiority over the other.

Smith, now 34, is perhaps past his best but is still a handful and has a recognisable name that Barrett would benefit from having on his record. The second oldest of the fighting Smith brothers has only ever been defeated by world level opponents – Lee Selby, Jose Pedraza, Jason Sosa and Francisco Vargas – but gave a commendable account of himself in those losses.

Smith’s high-octane style would mesh well with the ‘Brown Flash’, to create a brawl whereby the more nuanced aspects or the sweet science are neglected in favour of a sizzling slice of savagery to satisfy fight-fans.


Jono Carroll

If Barrett has joined the Matchroom stable to represent Manchester, then he must be looking ahead at a potential collision with the flamboyant Jono Carroll and avenge the defeat of fellow Mancunian, Scott Quigg.

Whilst Quigg showed signs of being far removed from his peak, Carroll deserves the credit for providing a comprehensive beat-down, where he stopped the former world champion and sent him hurtling into retirement.

He is a tricky southpaw, who has good lateral movement, an effective jab and good upper-body movement, combined with a decent engine.

He has often been accused of lacking power, claiming a meager four knockouts from his 18 victories, but his toughness and willingness to engage in toe-to-toe warfare means he is no pushover. He showed greater dedication to close the show and threw with malevolent intentions in his career-best performance against Quigg, who must now be rueing his criticism of Carroll for having “pillow fists.”

Jono is not the shy and retiring type. He speaks his mind and is an excellent self-promoter. He revels in goading opponents and history tells us that animosity that brews between fighters is always a key ingredient in creating a mouth-watering clash.

A confrontation with Carroll would be a tough task, considering how sky-high the Irishman’s confidence will be at this moment. However, it would be a entertaining back and forth scrap, which would propel Barrett into the world scene if he was to come out victorious.

[Coco]

Corrina is a champion so Barratt would need to earn a shot.

Smith would be ideal for Barratt, a bigger name, on the decline and naturally a good bit smaller.
However Smith will be looking for an opportunity or at least a retirement payday. Barratt doesn't other either.

Also for Carroll he grabbed his opportunity with both hands and will be looking to reap the rewards not move backwards.

[JamieM]

Ronnie has had a bit of a nightmare to be honest. He had a slipped at top of his spine, he recovered and while training done the same but to bottom of spine. That resulted in an operation at christmas time. Hes back training now but obviously is at the very start again so working on movement etc. He is adamant hell be back fighting and no doubt he will hes made of strong stuff. Hoping around june hell get back out.

[margaret thatcher]

Ronnie lost or drew a bunch of times, including getting KTFO by Anto, has he not improved throughout his career?

Ronnie beat Zelfa clearly but Zelfa is a good boxer, quick and with some solid skills, though maybe lacking in power and strength. He's not gonna set the world alight but I think he can do well and come on from when he fought Ronster

[JamieM]

Ronnie hasnt improved? Course he improved.

He fought ward who is on brink of world title and IMO was unlucky. The first 6 rounds were closer than the last 6 in that fight. Ronnie had him all over the place. Switch the commentary off( Darren Barker actually apologised to me it was that bad, mjw best mate).

Other losses he was robbed against craig Evan's, troy james was a close fight he was terrible that night.

As for cacace ask guys like tom stalker, Derry Matthew's etc ronnie was in marbella with jamie conlan and John thain holding his pads. Messing about, was not ronnie in there and he still gave a good account of himself. It happens and he learns from it.

Ronnie came from kickboxing and nobody has took that many 50.50 fights in their first 10. Should be commended. He was robbed against ryan walsh and Maxi Hughes given draws in their back garden.