Zelfa Barrett Keeps his Focus to Defeat Faroukh Kourbanov
Top-rated junior lightweight Zelfa “Black Flash” Barrett (28-1, 16KOs) on the day of his mother’s passing one year ago, dominated EBU champion Faroukh Kourbanov (19-4, 3KOs).
Kourbanov caught the eyes of the boxing community after defeating then undefeated Petteri Frojdholm for the vacant EBU European junior lightweight title back in 2017. However, he would step up in competition only to lose each time against Devis Boschiero, Samir Ziani, and Joe Cordina. He did regain the EBU title in 2021 after defeating Nicola Henchiri.
Black Flash has come a long way since the lone defeat to Ronnie Clark in 2018. Barrett literally learned on the job, bypassing the amateur level and going straight into the professional ranks. In 2020, he made the boxing community take notice after defeating then undefeated Eric Donovan for the IBF Inter-Continental title. Black Flash has turned himself into a sharpshooting counter-puncher while earning a #2 ranking by the IBF and #12 with the WBO.
BUILDING OFF THE JAB
Barrett, the cousin of light-heavyweight contender Lyndon Arthur and trained by his uncle Pat Barrett, a former domestic level champion, displayed good defense and footwork from the start of the bell. Despite the early rounds null of action it was the Black Flash working behind the jab and going to the body early.
As the fight continued, Barrett was using different variations of the jab and right hand that kept Kourbanov off balance. Barrett started to find a home for the uppercut taking advantage of the off-balance Kourbanov coming forward with his head down.
Kourbanov had some moments landing a good right hand and a nice hook to the body. However, he got caught by an overhand right during an exchange that stalled his momentum in the sixth round.
STAYING FOCUSED TO THE VERY END
Going into the later rounds Barrett was laser-focused as he continued to work behind the jab attacking the body and landing the uppercut on a retreating Kourbanov. Moreover, his defense was on point as blocking all return fire and then landed a left and right hook combination ending with a painful body shot.
As the fight came to a close, it was obvious Barrett had this fight under control by landing at will and whatever punch combination he wanted. Kourbanov tried to make one last stand coming forward by landing a good right hand but was hit with a barrage of punches for the effort.
The judges’ scorecards were 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110 for the new EBU European junior lightweight champion Zelfa Barrett.
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By: Garrisson Bland
