Zelfa Barrett is aiming for a fight with world champion Joe Cordina after defeating Jordan Gill on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old was in impressive form at the Manchester Arena, and the super featherweight appeared the better fighter for much of the contest.
Instead of rushing to force the issue, he bided his time to prove his superiority.
“I didn't expect Jordan to be that good,” Barrett said after the fight. “He performed good and I had to think. I was cruising and then he started winning a few rounds but I wasn't tired or anything. I asked my Uncle P, ‘Am I winning?’
“He's like, ‘It’s close’ so I thought, ‘You know what, I've been in his position before, you’ve got to push the pace.’”
One option is WBA champion Lamont Roach, but given Cordina and Barrett are both Matchroom fighters, it may be easier to fight the IBF champion - assuming Cordina’s May 18th clash with Anthony Cacace ( live on DAZN PPV ) goes as planned for the champion.
“Hopefully it’s a world title fight next. We’ll see what Eddie [Hearn] comes with. I’m ready. I had a good fight with Jordan and he was coming off a good win. He had a good, long distance to get ready to fight me and he had a good camp so I beat a good fighter. I believe I’m a world class fighter,” Barrett said.
Asked about Cordina, he said: “Of course. We’re both Matchroom fighters. He’s a good fighter, I’m a good fighter. We’ve got similar styles. That would be a serious fight but I understand the situation. He’s a world champion and he wants to look after his family now. I get it. He’s worked all his life to get to where he is now and wants to get paid. I’m just ready for anything. If Eddie says this guy, then it’s this guy, Eddie says that guy then it’s that guy.
“Whoever’s got the belt, I’ll fight. It doesn’t matter what style it is, we’ll just adapt to it.”
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