Arnold Barboza Jr. Shocks Jack Catterall To Win WBO Interim Title
Arnold Barboza Jr. upset Jack Catterall in his backyard to win the WBO Interim Junior Welterweight Title.
The win made Barboza mandatory for the WBO Champion Teofimo Lopez, as he edged out a split decision: 113-115, 115-113, 115-113. Catterall started the fight well, using his jab early on to keep his man at bay. However, Barboza had the height and reach advantage, which showed in the third round. Barboza connected with three lefts in succession, pinning Catterall on the ropes. The Brit had swelling on his eye. Barboza was now landing more frequently and had the higher volume, with Catterall struggling to get off the ropes.
Catterall received a warning for illegal fouls in round six, as the Brit needed to change the momentum.
Catterall thought he had secured a knockdown in the tenth after a left hand. But the referee deemed it a slip as Barboza was off-balance and tripped by Catterall. Barboza regained his composure as he landed a right hand to negate Catterall’s pressure. Heading into the last round, Catterall needed to show more.
But Barboza’s volume made Catterall gunshy, as Barboza took the decision on the cards. It was a massive setback for Catterall, who has now taken a step back on his journey to becoming a world champion. And given he had arguably beaten Josh Taylor to become undisputed at 140, but was on the wrong end of a decision, it will be tough to take.
Post-Fight
“A tricky, close fight but no arguments, congratulations to Arnold, thought I’d just done enough but wasn’t good enough, hope he can beat Teo and it’s straight back to the gym for me, I’ll be back. Have a little rest, speak to Eddie and Sam [Jones, his manager], then straight back to it,” Catterall said
“Honestly, I didn’t have it that close but it’s his backyard, since I was little, didn’t care about fitting in, just wanted respect and I’ve got that today. Hopefully you follow me and I can take some fans. Anyone can get it. I honestly didn’t have it that close. I thought I [won] more rounds but this is his backyard, man. Since I been little, I didn’t care about fitting in, I just wanted respect since I was a kid. I got my respect today; my father got his respect today,” Barboza
Full Card
Arnold Barboza Jr. beat Jack Catterall by split decision (12 rounds) to win the interim WBO super lightweight title.
Reece Bellotti defeated Michael Gomez Jr. after 10 rounds (corner stoppage) to keep his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles.
Pat McCormack won against Robbie Davies Jr. (corner stoppage, 6 rounds) in a welterweight fight.
James “Jazza” Dickens defeated Zelfa Barrett by unanimous decision (10 rounds) in a super featherweight fight.
William Crolla stopped Ayoub Zakari in the first round (TKO) in a super welterweight fight.
Aqib Fiaz stopped Lydon Chircop in the third round (TKO) in a lightweight fight.
Conner Tudsbury stopped Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano in the second round (TKO) in a light heavyweight fight.
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