Boxer David Tua wants to concentrate on the here and now rather than look too far ahead as he continues his quest for another shot at a world heavyweight crown.
Before Tua's 12-round unanimous points decision over Nigerian Friday Ahunanya in Auckland last month, his New York-based promoter, Cedric Kushner, predicted Tua would have a title shot by the end of this year.
Tua said today that he believed that remained a realistic target.
"However, I'm not going to look too far ahead," he said.
"It's been a different approach in the past. It's important we approach things differently now. It's important to concentrate on one fight at a time and winning the fight at the time."
While the bout against Barrett was announced only this week and details still have to be confirmed, Tua said he had started training in Auckland for the June 26 contest in Sao Paulo.
He would head overseas in a couple of weeks to continue his preparations, probably in the United States.
Tua, 37, has had two fights since making his comeback from a break of more than two years from the ring.
Before facing Ahunanya, he produced a second-round knockout of fellow New Zealander Shane Cameron in Hamilton last October.
Barrett, 38, has a record of 34 wins, 20 by knockout, and nine defeats, five inside the distance.
He has challenged for the World Boxing Association title and fought six current or former champions, including Briton David Haye and Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko.
"He's a boxer-puncher," Tua said of Barrett. "It's important to be prepared for both."
Tua said he was excited about going to Brazil, where he had been "only in my mind".
It was where Kushner had been able to secure a bout, and "it's important to keep the momentum going".
Tua has a record of 51 wins, 43 by knockout, three losses, all by points, and a draw.
Among his defeats was the loss by an unanimous verdict when challenging Briton Lennox Lewis for the world title in Las Vegas in 2000.
