Veteran southpaw James “Jazza” Dickens put on a relentless and high-energy performance to upset the favored Zelfa Barrett, securing a unanimous decision victory at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and claiming the vacant WBA International super featherweight title.

After 10 action-packed rounds, Dickens effectively used his left-handed stance to break through Barrett’s guard, landing punishing body shots throughout the fight.

The third round saw Dickens push Barrett back with sharp left hands, but the hometown fighter bounced back in the fourth, responding with crisp combinations.

The middle rounds delivered thrilling exchanges, with the seventh standing out as an evenly contested, high-paced battle. However, Dickens took control in the eighth, rocking Barrett with multiple clean left hands.

One of the most exciting moments came later in the fight when Dickens landed a well-placed left to the head, followed by a powerful right that visibly shook Barrett.

After 10 rounds, the judges scored it 97-93 (Luigi Boscarelli), 97-93 (Stephane Nicolo), and 96-94 (Marcus McDonnell), all in favor of Dickens.

With the win, Dickens, now the WBA International super featherweight champion, improves to 35-5 (14 KOs).