Yan Zak to Face Adamu Barnaba in a Battle of Unbeatens

Cruiserweight Yan "Terminator" Zak is scheduled to face Adamu Barnaba at the Meydan Gallery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on June 6. Both fighters are undefeated 26 year olds.

Zak is coming off a fifth round TKO win against Arshdeep Singh earlier this month, which moved his record to 7-0 with 5 KOs. The resident of Ashdod, Israel was particularly impressive in that fight. He showed an educated game plan and was defensively responsible throughout the contest. Zak will need a similar type of performance against Barnaba.

With a record of 10-0-1 (8 KOs), Barnaba has had a weird career. A Luis Ortiz-like 26, Barnaba resides in Mabiba, Tanzania, which is on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, the country's most important city. BoxRec lists pro fights when he was a prepubescent scamp and a random draw in 2019. His career really started last year. He has been 8-0 since 2025 although a few of his opponents' names on the fight film don't match those on his BoxRec ledger.

A southpaw, Barnaba has chiseled six-pack abs; they're just hidden behind a drooping beer belly. But don't let his physique fool you. He's a strong, skilled fighter. With a back as wide as the cultural gap between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania, Barnaba possesses a powerful right hook to the head and body. In recent fights, he's shown a snapping jab and a quick straight left. He aims to take center ring, is composed and patient in the ring, and uses feints. He sometimes avoids punches by leaning back.

Barnaba resembles a tough test for Zak, but Zak is a massive step up for Barnaba. Though skilled, he has primarily feasted on unschooled novices. Zak has punished journeyman and recently stepped up to face unheralded fighters with good records.

Zak's foot and hand speed should carry the fight against the plodding Tanzanian. Yan will need to be careful because Barnaba is a hard-punching southpaw. While his right hook is his money punch, he pulls the punch back too far, allowing himself to be countered. Adamu has yet to face an opponent talented enough to take advantage of that flaw. In Yan Zak, he will.

This bout is scheduled for ten rounds.

Brooklyn Barwick Scores Another First Round KO

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick beat the fight out of Shaniqua Frazier en route to a first round stoppage victory at the Moore Building at the Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina.

With respected trainers Jimmy Sosa and Nirmal Lorick in her corner, Barwick came out of the gate charging the significantly taller Frazier, a native of North Carolina. Frazier's awkward style initially disrupted the rhythm of New York-based Brooklyn. Frazier landed a wild swiping left, but her style resembled less a pro boxer and more of an untrained street fighter.

Frazier crouched down to get on Barwick's level, but she didn't possess a jab, so she had no way of keeping the diminutive Barwick at range. Brooklyn struggled to land a big shot until she threw a double jab and an overhand right that connected.

The real key was a right to the body and left hook to the head that hurt Frazier. Barwick followed it up with several body shots, forcing Frazier to the canvas, where she stayed gasping for air for the full ten seconds.

Barwick repeatedly yelled,"!עם ישראל חי" after the stoppage. She is now 7-1 with 7 KOs. Frazier falls to 0-9. She has been stopped in the first round each time.

Brooklyn Barwick and Shaniqua Frazier Weigh In

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick and her opponent, Shaniqua Frazier, weighed in this evening ahead of their clash at the Moore Building at the Fairground in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Barwick (6-1, 6 KOs) weighed in at 126.5 pounds. She weighed in again with her skirt on and came in at 127. Barwick was 127.5 pounds in her last two fights. Her lightest has been 119.5. Frazier (0-8) was 127 pounds. This is the lowest weight of her career thus far. Her heaviest was 136.5 pounds.

Barwick refueled with peach rings from Mazza and More, a peanut butter and jelly uncrustable, and Sprite Zero. Then she had a meal of salmon, mash potatoes, and veggies from Kosher Concierge. She couldn't find grape juice anywhere in Columbia, so a Chabad rabbi said it was ok for her to say Kiddush over Sprite Zero. The weigh-in was held later in the day than usual, so she was then on her way to observe Shabbat. Barwick noted the local athletic commission has been accommodating with regards to her Shabbat restrictions.

Barwick-Frazier is scheduled for six two-minute rounds. For a preview, visit here.

Brooklyn Barwick to Face Shaniqua Frazier

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick is scheduled to battle Shaniqua Frazier in a tune-up fight at the Moore Building at the Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina, USA on Saturday night.

Barwick, 26, made it down to South Carolina today. Her mother was supposed to join her, but her flight on Spirit Airlines was cancelled when the company closed its doors on May 2. She has not yet been able to get a refund.

Based in New York, Barwick (6-1, 6 KOs) attended a pre-fight get-together last week with 25 of her Jewish friends at the 2nd Ave Deli. It was a chance for Brooklyn to unwind as fight night approaches. She took special glee in roasting Aryeh, one the attendees at the shindig.

The party also provided an escape from several incidents of antisemitism Barwick has recently faced. BoxRec changed her nationality to Israeli, and she has been outspoken in her love for the Jewish people. She has received positive messages from Israeli girls who look up to her, but she has also received some backlash for her unapologetic Jewish pride. She even experienced an incident today on the trip to South Carolina.

Frazier, a 34 year old from Wilson, North Carolina, is the right opponent for Barwick at this time. Brooklyn is coming off of a disputed loss in February and a rough Team Boxing League showing in March. Frazier's size, height at 5'7", and her wild formless punches are her best assets. But she sports a poor record of 0-8 with eight first round stoppages. Frazier's best opponent was Stevie Morgan (19-2, 17 KOs), who once challenged the great Amanda Serrano back in 2024.

Barwick will be observing Shabbat in between the weigh-in on Friday and her fight Saturday night. Her kosher food is sponsored by Mazza and More and The Kosher Concierge. This bout is scheduled for six two-minute rounds and marks Barwick's U.S. debut.