Catterall & Barboza Jr. Size Each Other Up In Final Presser

Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr. had their last presser in the run-up to their WBO Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator on the weekend. 

Catterall arrives into the fight as the favorite. He knows a win secures him a mandatory title shot against the champion Teofimo Lopez. Catterall is 30-1 with 13 knockouts. He defeated Regis Prograis in his last fight via a unanimous decision. That was his third win in a row against a former world champion, following wins against Jorge Linares and Josh Taylor. 

Barboza Jr. has not lost a boxing bout. He overcame Carlos Ramirez in his last fight, taking his record to 31-0 record. He has 11 stoppage wins, meaning he is not the biggest puncher. His best win was against former world champion Jose Pedraza. Catterall and Barboza fancy their chances, as they had plenty to say. 

Pre-Fight Talk

“Of course I respect his ability. Again, he’s said it before, he’s been working hard to get to this position. I’ll stand on what I said – I don’t think he’s a great fighter. I think he’s average, a B class fighter. I can only think of two opponents that he’s boxed. We’ve watched tape of him and we’ve been studying. We’ve been working hard in the gym and every fight now I feel like we’ve been getting better, with the activity of these big headline fights.

“I’ll see what happens on fight night. Until the first bell goes, and I see his response, this is a big opportunity, not just for me but for both of us. I’m not leaving it to the judges next Saturday. I believe I stop him, 100%. You’ve never seen 12 rounds and you’re not going to see the 12 round distance next Saturday. I think he knows what he’s up against” Catterall said 

“He’s going to find out February 15th. “He doesn’t win this fight inside the distance. He doesn’t win this fight; it’s that simple. If there’s going to be a stoppage it’s going to be me stopping himWe’re going to see. I’m overall better than him at everything. The only thing that makes you different is you’re a lefty, that’s it, you’re average bro.

“My condition is top notch. You’ll see. “People don’t know what they’re going to get when it comes to me because I can do it all. He’s going to find out. I can stay, I can brawl and I can box. You’re going to see what a hype job you are, you’re average bro. I’m going to make you look average” Barboza said 

Presser

Full Card

Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr. 

Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr. 

Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens 

Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr. 

William Crolla vs Ayoub Zakari 

Conner Tudsbury vs Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano 

Aqib Fiaz vs Lydon Chircop 

Alfie Middlemiss vs Caine Singh

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