Manchester contender Zelfa Barrett could dive into a fight with Ray Ford

Zelfa Barrett is hoping to return to ring as soon as possible after seeing Saturday’s proposed 10-rounder with Mexico’s Cristian Bielma fall through. Regardless, the world ranked junior lightweight is still looking to tee up a big 2025. 

In April, Barrett stopped Jordan Gill in the ninth round of their world title eliminator but has been inactive since.

Keen to get another fight under his belt before the end of the year, Barrett, 31-2 (17 KOs), had agreed to box Bielma, 19-8-2 (7 KOs), on VIP Promotions’ show in Bolton this weekend but the Mexican has been ruled out.

Promoter Eddie Hearn told BoxingScene that he will get the 31-year-old Mancunian a big fight next and named former WBA featherweight champion, Ray Ford, as a potential opponent. 

“He’s got to fight. He’s got to get out and then we’ve got to throw him in,” Hearn said.

“I like the Ray Ford fight, to be honest with you. I kind of feel like that’s the fight. Stick Ray Ford in with Zelfa Barrett in America, or even in Manchester.

“But he’s got to dive into a big fight because we don’t want that opportunity to pass him by because he’s so talented.”

Two years ago, Barrett travelled to Abu Dhabi for a short notice IBF title fight with then champion, Shavkat Rakhimov, and performed well, dropping the Tajik fighter in the third round before tiring and being stopped in the ninth.

He has won three fights since, moving himself back into contention. He has been linked to a fight with IBF champion, Anthony Cacace, and there were talks about him potentially moving to lightweight to take on WBC champion, Shakur Stevenson, but it has proven hard to secure him a meaningful fight. 

If bringing a notable name to Manchester proves impossible, Hearn said that Barrett may need to travel for his opportunity 

“Zelfa did okay at the gate last time with Jordan Gill. It’s not a massive fight but he’s not a huge ticket seller. So, it’s difficult to bring a world championship fight to the city because you’ve got to pay someone like a champion a lot of money so maybe he might have to go on the road,” he said.

“He boxed in Abu Dhabi and had a great performance out there but our job is to find him a big fight next and that’ll be in the spring of 2025.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79