Zelfa Barrett and Jordan Gill, two exceptional super-featherweights, are set to collide in a highly-anticipated showdown at the Manchester Arena this Saturday. Matchroom, the event promoters, have organized this significant bout that promises to be an exhilarating encounter for both fighters and fans alike.
Barrett, aged 30, expresses that it is the ultimate aspiration for every Manchester boxer to compete at this venue. He proudly claims the spotlight as he believes he is the fighter that his hometown is desperately longing for. The audience will not trouble Gill, considering his remarkable victory over Michael Conlan in Belfast last December.
Prior to that, Barrett had requested manager Steve Wood to arrange a match with the eventual winner, but few anticipated that Gill would be the one with their arms raised in victory. Gill’s unexpected triumph came in the form of a seven-round stoppage, surprising many due to his previous defeat against Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez. Martinez had controversially outpointed Barrett in a match 20 months prior, swiftly defeating Gill in just four rounds and snatching away his European featherweight title.
Conlan had recently suffered a knockout defeat at 126lbs to Luis Alberto Lopez, while Gill found the transition to 130lbs more favorable than Conlan. Gill appeared stronger and each of his punches had a noticeable impact on Conlan. Conlan went down in the second round but managed to survive until the seventh, despite facing some challenging moments in the sixth.
Gill appeared as a transformed individual when he reunited with his close friend Leigh Wood at Ben Davison’s gym in Harlow. The previous fight raised concerns about Conlan’s effectiveness at 130lbs and his ability to withstand punches. However, we anticipate that Barrett will present a greater challenge.
In his entire career, he has maintained a weight of 130lbs and has only suffered defeats against two formidable southpaw opponents, namely Ronnie Clark over six years ago, and Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, who claimed the IBF title previously held by Joe Cordina.
Barrett received a mere three weeks’ notice for the match and was unsuccessful in defeating the Tajikistani boxer. In the ninth round, Barrett faced two knockdowns and struggled to regain control. Despite displaying signs of a leg injury towards the end, Barrett could not fend off Rakhimov. Additionally, exhaustion played a role due to Barrett’s relentless attempts to finish Rakhimov after initially knocking him down.
Barrett, with a record of 30 wins and 2 losses, has successfully overcome two challenging opponents in recent times. One of them was Jason Sanchez, an experienced American fighter who had previously lost two out of his last three matches and predominantly competed in the 126-pound weight class. Sanchez replaced Alex Dilmaghani, who fell ill, and although Barrett managed to knock him down, he ultimately secured a decisive victory by points after a 12-round bout. Additionally, Costin Ion, a Romanian boxer with a record of 10 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws, also gave Barrett a tough fight in Dublin last November, managing to take a few rounds off him despite Barrett’s lack of motivation during the match.
Barrett, who initially characterized his boxing style as “hit and move” in the early stages of his nearly decade-long professional career, exhibits great ease when fighting defensively and possesses significant power in his rapid, snapping punches, particularly in his right uppercut and left hook.
In August 2020, he encountered difficulties against the skilled Irish southpaw Eric Donovan until he unleashed a powerful left hook in the eighth round.
Gill’s impressive knockout victory over Karim Guerfi, which marked a turning point in his 28-2-1 (9) career, remains his most memorable night. Although Gill occasionally takes hits, he has consistently triumphed over featherweights who have moved up in weight class, including Barrett. It is highly likely that Barrett will secure another victory on Saturday night, possibly ending the fight before the second half.
In November 2015, Anthony Crolla became the WBA titlist with a knockout victory over Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena. Now, he has the opportunity to create another unforgettable moment on Saturday night. Rhiannon Dixon, who is trained by Crolla, will be facing Karen Elizabeth Carabajal, who has a record of 22-1 (3), for the vacant WBO lightweight title previously held by Katie Taylor. Dixon, a 29-year-old southpaw from Warrington, has achieved great success since transitioning from white collar boxing, winning all nine of her matches. This fight represents the next step for Dixon after her recent triumphs in the Commonwealth and European competitions.
Vicky Wilkinson, who is 39 years old, was worn down by body shots in six rounds and was too mobile and active for the underwhelming Spaniard Katharina Thanderz.
Following Taylor’s world-title challenge in October 2022, Carabajal, a 33-year-old Argentinean, has achieved three victories. However, her fight against Taylor remains her sole match outside of Argentina. During their bout, Carabajal showcased her skills as they both exchanged blows, persistently throwing punches until the final bell.
Dixon appears shorter in comparison to her, boasting long limbs, while Dixon showcases exceptional agility with quick hands and feet. Dixon’s background in dance during her upbringing has led some to question if she is prepared for this moment. However, her team believes that she possesses the necessary momentum and familiarity with the environment to succeed. By staying focused and attentive, she has the potential to secure victory through point scoring.
Ellie Scotney, the current IBF super-bantamweight champion, aims to claim Segolene Lefebvre’s WBO belt as well.
Lefebvre, with a record of 18-0 (1), is set to compete outside of France for the very first time. In her previous fight, Tysie Gallagher from Luton posed a significant challenge, taking her to a majority decision in her fourth title defense.
Scotney, hailing from Catford, delivered an outstanding performance in her recent bout, showcasing her superiority in every aspect against a determined Laura Soledad Griffa from Argentina. This remarkable victory marked Scotney’s initial defense of the title she previously claimed from Cherneka Johnson.
Scotney, standing at 5 feet 4 inches, appears slightly shorter than Lefebvre, who has successfully completed 10 rounds in all of her previous 10 fights. Although the Frenchwoman lacks agility and versatility, Scotney possesses exceptional skills and has the potential to outscore her in the match.
The highly anticipated bout between rival super-featherweights Cameron Vuong from Blyth and Jordan Flynn from Oxford was canceled due to Vuong falling ill. Flynn, with a record of 9 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, is still scheduled to compete in his next fight after his previous match against Kane Baker resulted in a 10-round draw.
After losing on points in their initial encounter, Baker is set to compete against Michael Gomez Jnr in a 10-round match on the Manchester bill.
Gomez, exhibiting the same intense gleam in his eyes as his father, fiercely defends his English super-featherweight championship. Baker, a respectable contender hailing from Birmingham, holds a record of 19 wins, 10 losses, and 2 draws, making him somewhat of a beloved icon among dedicated fans.
Baker has been given ample work by Eddie Hearn and is highly regarded by the 33-year-old.
In November 2019, Baker suffered a defeat to Myron Mills from Derby for the St George’s belt at 135lbs. Despite this loss, Baker has consistently claimed that his ideal weight is 130lbs. Although he is expected to give a tough fight to Gomez, who has odds of 20-1 (5), it is predicted that the English title will remain with the Mancunian.
The Verdict – Excellent and hard to call main event between two boxers on the fringes of world class.
