Zelfa Barrett has won his two most recent fights, with his last outing a points victory over Costin Ion in November.
Less than five months later, Barrett will step into the ring at the AO Arena to take on Jordan Gill in a super-featherweight fight that could have world title implications down the line.
While neither man will be defending a world championship when they face off in April, Manchester's Barrett feels that the bout will be the next best thing.
"I’ve always wanted to box at the Arena, watching and being in the changing rooms with Anthony Crolla and Scott Quigg, I’d always thought one day I’ll be there winning a world title, but this fight is like a world title because I know how good Jordan is," Barrett said at a press conference on Tuesday.
"He’s well-schooled, got a good team around him, so it’s given me the grit in my teeth to perform. We’re similar in styles and that’s why I wanted to spar him back in the day because we’re similar, it’s funny how the tables turn and we’re now fighting each other, it’s an exciting fight and tickets are flying out, all my people will be there."
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