Zelfa Barrett Left to Rebuild After a Shattering Loss to Rakhimov
Oftentimes in boxing, world title opportunities are hard to come by. Zelfa “Brown Flash” Barrett (26-2, 18 KOs) finally got his dream opportunity of fighting for a world championship. The unexpected title shot came against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in a battle for the vacant IBF 130-pound belt. Brown Flash felt assured it was his time to become a world champion. Ultimately though, Rakhimov had other plans.
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Barrett found success early in the bout, even scoring a knockdown. Unfortunately, the tables turned as the pressure and power of Rakhimov were too much. He was stopped in nine rounds and relinquished the prize to his opponent.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR BARRETT?
With the second loss of his career, Barrett will have to go back to the drawing board and regroup. The loss will also drop him in the rankings. With that being said, a ring return in 2023 is seemingly a forgone conclusion. After getting knocked out, a fight against a fellow contender shouldn’t be expected in his first fight back. Instead, it’ll likely be a fighter who’s good enough to make him work but not good enough to beat him.
Regardless of what’s to come for Brown Flash, the journey to another world of opportunity is the road he has to travel on.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
