Barret v Donovan Recap
Making his debut with Matchroom Boxing, Zelfa Barrett (24-1, 15 KOs) was forced to dig deeper than before. However, it was his advantage in power that eventually proved to be the difference as he eventually caught up to and TKO’d Eric Donovan (12-1, 7 KOs) in eight rounds at the Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, England.
INTERESTING AND COMPETITIVE EARLY
The opening rounds were fought very much on even turns; Donovan landed some nice left-hands up top while Barrett focused his attack on the body. From the onset, this was a battle of skill and wit, with the counterpunching from both men being sharp.
Sensing he may have lost the early rounds, Barrett applied more pressure in the fifth. However, he was also caught with straight left hands and right hooks. One particular left-hand from Donovan momentarily startled him. Halfway through the round, this was turning into a good scrap.
TOO MUCH TNT IN THE END
The 35-year-old was starting to fight with serious swag. But in round seven, the power of Barrett struck as he put Donovan down with a hard left-hook. The Irishman went down for a second time courtesy of a combination at the end of the round; Donovan was in bad shape.
Smelling blood, Barrett continued the power-punching at the start of the eighth. Another big left-hook by Barrett put his foe down halfway through the round. At that point, referee Howard John Foster said enough was enough and called a halt to the contest.
While glad he got the victory, Barrett was disappointed in his performance. With his lone defeat being against another southpaw, Ronnie Clark in February 2018, he again found difficulty against a lefty. If he is going to make any significant moves in his career moving forward, he must find a better way of coping against those types of fighters.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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