Former European champion Zelfa Barrett faces-off with USA’s Jason Sanchez on the undercard of Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov Vs Joe Cordina at the Cardiff International Arena on Saturday night.
Barrett’s last fight came against Rakhimov for the IBF Super Featherweight World title in Abu Dhabi. Barrett saw both sides of the Tajik’s coin when they met last year, Barrett sent Rakhimov to the canvas in the 3rd round to be ultimately stopped in the 9th.
Barrett spoke exclusively to ProBox TV News to give his uniquely expert opinion on Rakhimov Vs Cordina.
“If Joe is disciplined and decides to box it’s a very different fight compared to mine.” Barrett said. “Rakhimov is strong and comes forward. He’s as tough as old boots, him. It all comes down to who has the better game plan really, it’s a good fight. I hope Joe wins.”
Barrett (28-2, 16 KOs) sits just inside the IBF’s top ten ranking positions. A fight down the line with Cordina appears to be in play by Matchroom if both are successful on Saturday night.
“Off course I want to have another shot at a world title.” Barrett explained. “I’m not chasing the winner of this fight though. If it is there, it is there. I like to be respectable. If the fight makes sense then I will take it with both hands, which I’m sure it does. I’m not like chasing for it, to be honest I’ll take most fights. I took the last fight at five weeks notice.
“I believe in my team and my talent. I will get a shot. I know what I can do, I know my level, I know how good I am. I actually perforated my eardrum in the last fight. You just have to take the positives from the negatives.”
