Zelfa Barrett took the vacant WBA International super featherweight title at the Manchester Arena, and moved closer to another world title shot as he wore Jordan Gill down to record a tenth round stoppage win.
Barrett (31-2, 17 KOs) had come into this one looking to get back to world level, having been stopped in nine by Shavjatdzhon Rakhimov in November 2022 in a bid for the IBF world title, but the Manchester man had win three on the spin since that setback.
Gill (28-3-1, 9 KOs) had breathed new life into his career after a shattering stoppage loss to Kiko Martinez in October 2022, stopping Michael Conlan in seven rounds last December.
Gill started brightly, coming forwards and operating at a fast pace in the first couple of rounds, but Barrett found successes of his own in round three, a right hand snapping Gill’s head back.
Barrett landed with a body shot in the fourth that seemed to trouble Gill, but the Chatteris man responded in the fifth with a strong session to get back into the argument.
The second half of the bout saw plenty of give and take action, with both men taking turns to have their say, but by round ten, Barrett cranked up the pressure, and an attack to the body saw Gill hit the deck.
Gill was down again from shots to the body on the resumption, and a controlled flurry saw the referee step in, and call a halt to the action.
DOWN GOES GILL IN THE 10TH! 😳#GillBarrett | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/FdTEm8uCIH
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 13, 2024
Scotney outclasses Lefebvre
On the undercard, Ellie Scotney (9-0, 0 KOs) became the unified super bantamweight world champion, as she added the WBO title to her IBF strap with a clear points win against Segolene Lefebvre (18-1, 1 KO).
The Catford native came through by scores of 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94.
Dixon beats down Carabajal
Rhiannon Dixon (10-0, 1 KO) became the new WBO lightweight champion, dropping Karen Elizabeth Carabajal (22-2, 3 KOs) en route to a wide win on the cards.
Carabajal floored in the third!
Massive from Rhiannon Dixon 😳#DixonCarabajal | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/FM3C4bePDj
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 13, 2024
Dixon floored Carabajal in round three with a well-timed left hand, and eventually ran out a winner by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93.
Gomez flattens Baker
Michael Gomez Jr (21-1, 6 KOs) successfully defended his English super featherweight title, as he floored Kane Baker (19-11-2, 1 KO) twice on the way to a sixth round stoppage win.
Full house for Matchroom prospects
Jordan Flynn (10-0-1, 1 KO) warmed up for his upcoming clash with Cameron Vuong by taking a 59-54 verdict against Tampela Maharusi (10-5-4, 5 KOs) in their lightweight meeting.
Jimmy Sains (4-0, 4 KOs) stopped Mateusz Kalecki (2-2, 1 KO) in the fourth round of their scheduled six rounder at bantamweight, and William Crolla (5-0, 4 KOs) dropped Fabio Cascone (4-10, 1 KO) with a body shot to end their super welterweight contest in the opening round.
Featherweight prospect Brandon Scott (7-0, 1 KO) took a 58-56 win after six rounds against Rodrigo Matias Areco (5-6-2, 0 KOs) and the sole four rounder saw Stephen Clarke (2-0, 1 KO) take a points win against Jensen Irving (4-10, 0 KO), with Irving down in the second round.
