The Manchester veteran Zelfa Barrett recognises that he has been matched with “a dangerous fighter” on Saturday evening in his Liverpool counterpart James “Jazza” Dickens.
It was in 2020 when the pair sparred. The 33-year-old Dickens is 34-5 (14 KOs); Barrett is 31-2 (17 KOs).
Barrett, 31, still has hopes of landing another title shot, having lost when challenging Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov for the vacant IBF title in 2022. He’s coming off an impressive body-punching win over Jordan Gill, but that was in April 2024, and he is aware of the threat posed by the Liverpool southpaw when they meet at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
“I’m seeing him as a dangerous fighter, because with his back against the wall, this is one of his biggest opportunities, so he’s going to come out swinging,” Barrett told BoxingScene. “He’s going to come out ready and fired up – we’re not taking this guy lightly. We’re treating him like a world champion. This is no easy fight. Anyone with their back against the wall is dangerous. I know Jazza; I’ve been around Jazza; sparred Jazza. I know what he’s capable of so that’s what we’ve prepared for – the best Jazza.”
While Dickens has long campaigned at featherweight, Barrett has also looked for opportunities elsewhere. In the not-too distant past, he has been linked with fighting Raymond Ford, but it’s whoever has the belts who is Barrett’s priority.
“Jazza on his day is a good fighter, I’m not trying to take nothing away from him and I’ve not boxed in nearly 10 months,” Barrett said. “This is a big fight, because anyone who puts on eight-ounce gloves, it’s hard, tough, and you’ve got to be wary of them. But I want a world-title fight. I’ll fight anyone at 130. Not 135, not 140, not 126. At 130. But I feel like I’m overdue a world-title fight now. Anyone put in front of me, I’ll beat them up.
“I believe I’m the top dog at this weight but I can’t be saying too much because I’m not a world champion. But anyone at the weight category. [Rocky] Hernandez can get some – anyone – but ideally I want a world title. I believe I’m world class, to actually go and show it…”
That makes a good performance against Dickens important, although the Mancunian is not confident a queue is forming to face him. He’s strong and solid at 130lbs and he makes the weight well.
“Because I’ve done it for so long and I’ve got a nutritionist, it becomes easier,” he explained. “There’s certain things I would have been doing in fight week [years ago] – not drinking six-and-a-half litres of water – I’d be drinking four and three… most fighters would probably say the same. And I can perform at the weight, too. It’s not like I can’t perform. Anyone can make a certain weight; it’s how you perform at it.”
There has been talk of the aforementioned Ford fighting Eduardo Nunez, for the IBF title vacated by Anthony Cacace, who has moved on to face Leigh Wood in May. Barrett is open to Nunez, too.
“I’d fight him, I’m a top dog, the guys know I’m a top dog, too, because they’re not going to cherry pick me,” he said. “I’ve got to knock down doors and win eliminators for people to fight me. I’ll fight him. Styles makes fights. He’s strong; he’s good. But so am I. I’m not discrediting him, he’s a very good fighter, but so am I.
“I’ve not worked so hard to get here to go this far. When I win a world title and defend it, then it’s a different story. It’s experience. I know how to do it now; what’s required. I just want a world-title fight. I’m due it.”
He is regardless more than familiar with Dickens and knows he cannot afford to slip up.
“He also knows me, so he has to be switched on,” said Barrett. “And I know he will be.”
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