Zelfa Barrett has spent much of 2025 out of sight and mind but can't wait to reintroduce himself to boxing fans.

Back in February, Barrett was beaten over 10 rounds by current WBA interim junior lightweight champion Jazza Dickens in a defeat forcing him to rethink his entire strategy.

He made the difficult decision to leave his uncle and trainer, Pat Barrett, and join up with Ring Magazine's 2015 Trainer of the Year, Joe Gallagher. He also accepted his days at junior lightweight were over, moving up to 135 pounds.

Barrett and Gallagher committed to a rebuilding program. After two low-key outings to settle at lightweight, getting used to how each other work, they're now ready for a return to the big stage.

On November 29, Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker will make his Matchroom debut at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.

Last week Tuesday, it was announced that Barrett will feature among the undercard bouts. For the time being, the former European 130-pound champion doesn't have a name to focus on but couldn't care less.

"Listen, I'm telling you man: I'm knocking this guy out," Barrett (33-3, 18 KOs) told The Ring. "I don't care who he is. I'm going to show these guys.

"I'm special, man. Sometimes you have to take losses to win the championships, it happens.

"I've had to go up in weight, but I'm going to show them, show everyone. You've got a different animal now. I swear on my mother’s soul, I get a different buzz now, I am different."

It is almost a decade since Gallagher brought Barrett in to help Anthony Crolla prepare for his world lightweight title fights with Jorge Linares. He has always been a true believer in Barrett’s ability and has spent nine months adding more devilment and menace to his style.

Barrett is 32 years old but has enjoyed the challenge of transforming his style. He believes there's still plenty of time to make an impact on the world lightweight scene and whilst the plan is to seek out a major fight for the first quarter of 2026, he's solely focused on showing people his improvements come November 29.

"I'm lucky enough to have lived a good life. I’ve not abused my body and not been in all tough fights. I have got a good three, four years whereas some fighters, at this moment in time, they're at the end of their career," he said.

"I've had a good defence, I thank Pat for how I've boxed. I've got this far. It's mad, I'm like a UFC fighter. The older they get, the better they are. Look at the champions now, they're like 35 or 36.

"Because their experience is so bold, I feel like, 'What are you going to show me in a ring that I've not seen?'