Zelfa Barrett outpoints Lyon Woodstock on Josh Warrington undercard in Leeds
ZELFA BARRETT finally showed the skills his team and promoter Frank Warren rave about as he won the Commonwealth super featherweight strap.
The 118-110, 117-111, 117-111 scorecards seemed a little unfair on brave Lyon Woodstock, but Barrett was slicker, silkier and elusive.
Both 25-year-olds came into the fight with one defeat each, but they have insisted it’s helped them in their learning.
With such similar styles it looked like the winner would be the boxer who landed the cleaner as power was not quite there.
Barrett was the busier for the opening three rounds, relying on the uppercut and overhand right to put Woodstock off balance.
In the fourth a small nick below Barrett’s right eye surfaced, this seemed to annoy the Manchester man more than anything and he fought off the jab.
Using that snap jab in the fifth, Barrett clumsily waded in looking for some powerplay after which left him wide open.
But Woodstock seemed happy to let his opponent waste energy.
Barrett seemed to get back on track soon after, using beautiful combos that started to look more measured than chancey.
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And it was “Brown Flash” who began to assert himself as the fight went on against the workmanlike Woodstock, but still neither ever looked hurt at any point heading into the championship rounds.
Woodstock sagged during the 10th and 11th as Barrett seemed to find more energy from his corner’s encouragement.
A brave Woodstock came out for the 12th looking like he knew he needed the most impressive of endings. But it didn’t come and the classier of the two ultimately got the result.
