It was recently confirmed that in November, Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes will contest the vacant WBO lightweight title on 'The Ring IV: Night of Champions' show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) is one of the most skilled young fighters in world boxing whilst the all action Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) currently heads up a strong British group at 135lbs.

Zelfa Barrett has recently joined the party at 135lbs. The former European junior lightweight champion is rebuilding after suffering a decision loss to new WBA interim 130lb champion, Jazza Dickens, in February.

Talent runs deep in the lightweight division and the fight between Mason and Noakes will see a new name pull up a seat at the top table. Barrett (32-3, 18 KOs) is intrigued to see how things play out.

“I feel like Sam Noakes will give it his all but I just feel like Abdullah Mason will be too good for him,” Barrett told The Ring.

“He’s cold. He's very good. Don't get me wrong, Sam Noakes has got a puncher's chance because he hits very hard and we've seen what pressure does a bit to Abdullah Mason. He's been put down off Yohan Vasquez.

“He put him down and hurt him. That was pressure. So, Sam Noakes could potentially, well, that's the only way he could beat him, in my eyes.

“It's a bit of a tough one. It’s a good fight and I do believe if Sam Noakes gets beat after this fight, he'll probably go up because he's a big guy anyway, and he's already been European and British champion.

“It's a winnable fight for Abdullah Mason but it's also a winnable fight for Sam Noakes.”

Barrett feels revitalised since joining up with former Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year, Joe Gallagher, and making the move to lightweight.

The 31 year-old got back to winning ways last months with a third round knockout of Mexico’s Christian Bielma and he and Gallagher are keen to continue building momentum and solidifying their relationship so that they are ready when a major opportunity presents itself.

This weekend he takes on India’s Rajesh Kumar on a VIP Promotions show in Wakefield.

Barrett enjoys watching boxing and pays close attention to fighters in an around his weight class. After spending his entire career surveying the junior lightweight scene, he is now casting his eye over a new range of potential opponents. He knows that talent runs deep in the 135lb division but is looking forward to getting involved.

“I’ve never been so confident in being a world champion and the best thing about it is that only a small group know. This is what makes it better for me because I think I'm just going to shock everyone,” he said.

“I appreciate how good some of the players are at the weight. I know how good Abdullah Mason is. I've seen Floyd Schofield beat Tevin Farmer. I feel like Tevin Farmer would have won that fight, but round one he just switched off. If he didn't, I feel like he would have beat him. That's just my opinion. I probably underestimated Floyd Schofield.

"I know how good they are but I'm just showing respect, just giving the kudos. I know how good they are, but I also know how good I am.

“That’s the position that's in front of me. Only a fool would be like, 'Yeah, he's not that good'.

“I give people their flowers, man, because it makes me better. It makes me aware.”