BoxRec

Press Release

Zelfa Barrett is determined to prove he is the top boy among allegedly’s talent stacked super-featherweight club.

The Mancunian wants to sock it to stablemates British champion Sam Bowen and WBO European title holder Archie Sharp next week without punching either rival.



Barrett (22-1, 13 KOs) makes the first defence of his Commonwealth crown against Jordan McCorry (18-6-1, 4KOs) at First Direct Arena, Leeds on Saturday October 12, live on BT Sport.

Scot McCorry stepped in at short notice and took Bowen nine rounds in March and four months later he pushed Sharp all the way before losing on points after ten exciting rounds.

Barrett who beat another stablemate, Lyon Woodstock to become Commonwealth title holder in June said: “I’m competitive and I would love to get him out of there quicker than Bowen and look better than Archie did.”

A series of fights involving Barrett, Bowen and Sharp would create big interest over the next 12 months and all three are keen to be the last man standing.

Barrett, 26, would love to get his hands on Bowen first warning: “I would be like Sugar Ray Leonard.

“I don’t underestimate him and I think that Sam is a good fighter, but I have been watching him and I would shine in that fight.

“Everyone goes on about how strong and relentless he is. Let’s see how relentless he is when he keeps getting hit by jabs. I have got the power, speed and timing to knock him out.”

McCorry has been sparring with Sharp ahead of his big assignment against Barrett on the bill topped by Josh Warrington’s IBF featherweight title defence against Sofiane Takoucht.

His choice of sparring partner had baffled Barrett, who added: “I laughed when I heard they would be sparring. That will not help him against me.

“I’m no Archie Sharp. Archie is a good fighter, but styles make fighters and we’re different fighters.”

Before Barrett can tackle his biggest domestic rivals and hopefully move on to world level, he knows McCorry poses a formidable challenge given his great efforts against Bowen and Sharp.

“Jordan is tough, durable and most probably thinks this is his last opportunity so he will be there to win. He will be game and try to beat me,” says Barrett.

“I know he will try and outdo me, believes in himself and has had plenty of notice. He will be in it for every minute of every round.”

The big night of action in Leeds is headed by local hero Josh Warrington (29-0, 6KOs) who makes the third defence of his IBF featherweight championship against France’s Sofiane Takoucht (35-3-1, 13 KOs). Zelfa Barrett (22-1,13KOs) will make the first defence of his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against exciting Scot Jordan McCorry (18-6-1, 4KOs). In a third title clash Manchester’s Lyndon Arthur (15-0, 12KOs) faces Ghanaian Emmanuel Anim (14-2-1, 12KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown , in a battle of the big hitters.

Darlington’s Troy Williamson (11-0-1, 8KOs), Mark Heffron (23-1, 17KOs), Shakiel Thompson (4-0, 3KOs), Reece Mould (12-0, 6 KOs), Shabaz Masoud (5-0, 1KO), John Joyce, 1-0), Jack Daniels (4-0, 2 KOs), Callum Simpson (1-0), Evaldas Petrauskas (1-0 1 KO) plus exciting debutant George Davey are all in action.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and firstdirectarena.com Prices: £40, £50, £75, £100, £150, £200, £350 – Inner Ring Hospitality.

Decent little scrap on the Warrington undercard to look forward to.

Barrett will look a million dollars against Jordy sadly. Made for him and they know it. I really like Jordy but this isnt his type of fight and he imo wont pass 6 rounds and will be stopped to the body.

JamieM wrote: ↑03 Oct 2019, 18:16 Barrett will look a million dollars against Jordy sadly. Made for him and they know it. I really like Jordy but this isnt his type of fight and he imo wont pass 6 rounds and will be stopped to the body.

Who should Jordan be matched against?

Imo jordy should look at taking a 50-50 fights with guys like Lyon Woodstock, Feargol McCrory, Nathaniel Collins or Marco McCullagh. Hes stepped up to British level and being dead honest dont mix up heart and will between being in the fight. Sam Bowen was not great against him but was winning handily and same goes to Sharp who won by a landslide. I feel bad being honest as honestly really like Jordy and have backed him to win against Woodstock on social media when there was talk of it but there is a big difference at that level. I believe Jordy is going into 90-10 chances against fights and although being brave is just taking decent pay days. If that is all it's about then fair enough but in the long run will hinder him. As I said just my views and I am 100 percent backing Jordy in hope he pulls it off.

I cant believe he still calls himself “Brown Flash”

Surely someone somewhere would have advised him to come up with a better alternative?

I thought Barrett put in a career best showing last time out against Woodstock to win the title, really impressive stuff and dominated a good opponent who on paper looked like Barrett's equal but Barrett won pretty much every round, some quality punch picking from him, mainly single shots he doesn't throw many combinations but he does pick his shots nicely and looks like he put the loss to Clark well behind him


McCorry's a game fcvker, always givers his all, gave Bowen problems for the British before being stopped late and he made Sharp work for his win recently, he just doesn't seem to be able to produce enough to win at the higher level, always seems to be the brave loser and I think this is what we'll see again here, he'll be right in Barrett's face but I think as the fight wears on Barrett will show he's a level above

Clark did show Barrett can struggle with pressure and that's McCorry's game so who knows maybe he can unsettle Zelfa, i'd like to see McCorry win the Commonwealth, he's a fellow Jock after all but being honest I think Barrett wins a wide decision

I think McCorry has a chance in this fight, its going to be closer than the odds suggest.

bripez wrote: ↑05 Oct 2019, 08:43 I cant believe he still calls himself “Brown Flash”

Surely someone somewhere would have advised him to come up with a better alternative?

There was a thread on here ages back. Worst nickname ever.

Incredible show of bravery again from McCorry again, one of the gamest cats in the country but as expected Barrett's class made the difference especially those body shots those were sickening I was wincing myself, surprised it was only the first knockdown that was caused by a bodyshot, left hand creased McCorry but as I say as game as fvck he came back firing and TBH Barrett shipped a fair amount of clean punches


As game as McCorry was it was Barrett who was doing the real damage, had McCorry down for a second time in the 8th, right to the body followed by a chopping right to the head, hurtful punches, thought the ref was a bit harsh on McCorry with the deduction, Barrett should've been penalised first, all academic though, lovely uppercut for finish off McCorry in the 9th, Barrett got clipped but showed he was a class above

handsofstone wrote: ↑12 Oct 2019, 18:40 Incredible show of bravery again from McCorry again, one of the gamest cats in the country but as expected Barrett's class made the difference especially those body shots those were sickening I was wincing myself, surprised it was only the first knockdown that was caused by a bodyshot, left hand creased McCorry but as I say as game as fvck he came back firing and TBH Barrett shipped a fair amount of clean punches


As game as McCorry was it was Barrett who was doing the real damage, had McCorry down for a second time in the 8th, right to the body followed by a chopping right to the head, hurtful punches, thought the ref was a bit harsh on McCorry with the deduction, Barrett should've been penalised first, all academic though, lovely uppercut for finish off McCorry in the 9th, Barrett got clipped but showed he was a class above

Think the loss to Clark has helped improve Barrett. Bowen/Sharp/Barrett mix could be nice fights.

Not quite sure all the fuss is about. He stepped up and got found out so has moved back dow n a level. Neither mccorry or Woodstock beat clark, then he talks about comparisons to performances like you can compare... no zelfa clark is a southpaw pressure fighter, nobody likes fighting them.

JamieM wrote: ↑13 Oct 2019, 18:34 Not quite sure all the fuss is about. He stepped up and got found out so has moved back dow n a level. Neither mccorry or Woodstock beat clark, then he talks about comparisons to performances like you can compare... no zelfa clark is a southpaw pressure fighter, nobody likes fighting them.

How is Ronnie doing mate?

He was back in training and had another setback. Wear and tear as hes fought since he was 7. Hes still optimistic of a few more fights though. The back is a complicated injury it started of his neck and is now his lower back.

Another very impressive performance from Zelfa but he’s still developing and work in progress.
IMO he was protected far too much by his Uncle Pat on his own Black Flash shows before taking on the much more experienced Clark and got found out.
The Woodstock and McCrorry fights are good learning fights as he comes back from that defeat and moves towards the top of a very competitive domestic division.

His big pal and stable mate Lyndon Arthur is another I like but he too has been far too protected and so nearly had his own Ronnie Clark moment on Saturday night.
He will be better from that much needed tough fight.

Snorri Sturluson wrote: ↑15 Oct 2019, 12:43

JamieM wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 04:09 He was back in training and had another setback. Wear and tear as hes fought since he was 7. Hes still optimistic of a few more fights though. The back is a complicated injury it started of his neck and is now his lower back.

Shame he could have gone B.I.B.A and fought Scott Harrison on the Benn vs Bika bill (they have history)

Harrison would batter him.

Hi Scott!!

handsofstone wrote: ↑12 Oct 2019, 18:40 Incredible show of bravery again from McCorry again, one of the gamest cats in the country but as expected Barrett's class made the difference especially those body shots those were sickening I was wincing myself, surprised it was only the first knockdown that was caused by a bodyshot, left hand creased McCorry but as I say as game as fvck he came back firing and TBH Barrett shipped a fair amount of clean punches


As game as McCorry was it was Barrett who was doing the real damage, had McCorry down for a second time in the 8th, right to the body followed by a chopping right to the head, hurtful punches, thought the ref was a bit harsh on McCorry with the deduction, Barrett should've been penalised first, all academic though, lovely uppercut for finish off McCorry in the 9th, Barrett got clipped but showed he was a class above

The fight should have been stopped. McCorry had to physically quit in the fight for it to be stopped.

Barrett was impressive but gets caught and isn't as smooth as he looks.