Zelfa Barrett exclusive: I’m gonna destroy Jordan Gill

Zelfa Barrett insists that he will do his friends and family proud when he takes on Jordan Gill at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The winner will move within touching distance of a shot at a super-featherweight world title but the fight means much more than that to the 32Red ambassador. For all 32Red’s latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

Nine years in to his professional career, the 30-year-old finally gets to headline at his home city’s most famous arena.

For years, he has been touted as Manchester’s next world champion and this is Barrett’s opportunity to show that he is the man capable of topping bills for years to come. Barrett’s home city will come out in support of the popular fighter from Harpurhey and he is set on sending them home happy.

“I’m excited to perform, I feel dangerous”

Gill is a quality operator who is coming into the fight off the back of a career best victory over Michael Conlan last December but Barrett is determined to make a statement.

“I just feel different. I’m gonna destroy him. Jordan’s a good fighter but I just know my level.

“He’s gonna be in the ring with a hungry fighter. I’ve heard him say that he doesn’t have to box, he does it because he loves it. Well, I’m doing it to put food on the table for my children. It’s a different kettle of fish.

“You have lions in the zoo and lions in the jungle. A lion in the zoo accepts food that’s given to him. A lion in the jungle has to wait for his food for hours and wait for the right moment to pounce and take it.

“I don’t want to take any credit away from him. I’m excited to perform but also because I know Jordan is gonna be competitive. He’s really going to try and win in there but all that’s gonna do is bring the best out in me and I feel dangerous. You think you can beat me? Alright. We’ll see about that.

“One thing I will give Jordan Gill is that he’s got heart. He isn’t a quitter. Michael Conlan called him a quitter but I don’t think he is. He’s a tough man and he’ll be in there to win until the end. He’s got a good team around him who believe in him and little things happen in life. Those things will have helped him too.

“This fight will open a lot of doors for me”

“I just feel like he’s getting into the ring with a whole different type of fighter though. I’ve got that mentality. That flair. That power. That speed. The timing. Everything. It’s like the guys at the top level.

“Seeing myself on the big billboard they have put up to advertise the fight is sick but I need to go and prove it now and let everybody know what I’m all about. My desire is different. Normally, any fighter will tell you they have a few nerves but I’m more excited than nervous and I wanna prove a point.

“This fight will open a lot of doors up for me. I can make the arena my home. That’s another reason for me to grit my teeth. Everybody wants me to do it. I love it. I love it.

“Some people can’t handle pressure like that. I love it when people come and watch sparring. That’s the only time in my life when I like the attention. I thrive off it.

“I don’t get gassed off it but I just like to think, ‘OK. Watch this. I’m gonna show you’ and I always steal the show. Some fighters blag you that they love it and when it comes down to it they’re like a small rabbit in the headlights. I’m a big fish in a big pond. I love the pressure although I don’t think of it as pressure. I’m fighting a man my weight.

“I’m made for this. I always have been, right from the start. I deserve to be a top dog.

“Everything is good, I feel great”

“I feel great. I’m working with a good nutritionist now and I can talk. I can smile. I’m sweating out gallons. Everything is good.

“People have spent their hard earned money to come and watch me. I’m headlining at the arena in my hometown. My kids are relying on me. I want to make my mum proud. That alone pushes me. That drives me on.

“When it gets deep and dark, I think, ‘Oh hello. I’ve not seen you for a while’ but I’ve been there before. He’s been there too, both inside and outside the ring. It’s not a competition but I’ve been deeper. I’m not trying to put him down because he’s a good fighter. I just believe in myself so much.”

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