Fight preview: Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr

Jack Catterall looks to be the first man to beat Arnold Barboza Jr as two of the best 140lb fighters in the world clash at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday night.

The interim WBO super-lightweight title is on the line on Saturday, with the winner poised to challenge current WBO title holder Teofimo Lopez later in 2025.

Catterall (30-1-0) is unbeaten since his controversial defeat to Scotland’s Josh Taylor back in 2022 and has since been on a rich vein of form. He avenged his loss to Taylor and picked up wins over former coveted champion Jorge Linares and American sharpshooter Regis Prograis.

After ‘El Gato’ outpointed Prograis last October it seemed that he would move onto a world title opportunity, however after failing to come to fruition, the Chorley man has opted to risk his high-ranking position again taking on the undefeated Barboza jr.

33-year-old Barboza Jr (31-0-0) is fresh off a career-best win over Jose Carlos Ramirez in Saudi Arabia at the end of last year. The American hasn’t tasted defeat in 31 professional fights and comes into Saturday’s bout ranked number one with the WBO.

Saturday is the first time that Barboza Jr will have a bout scheduled for 12 rounds in his 31-fight career, compared to Catterall who’s last three fights alone have gone the full 12 rounds.

Catterall’s experience over 12 rounds could certainly play a factor in the fight and given the two fighters’ sub 50% knockout ratios, it would be no shock to see both men hear the final bell.

Barboza Jr is also no stranger to southpaws after his controversial points win over Irish southpaw Sean McComb in Brooklyn last year. Barboza Jr was deemed lucky to be declared winner after ten tricky rounds against the Irishman and he will need a far better performance on Saturday to beat one of the most in-form fighters in the world.

Fight Prediction:

Given Catterall is on the best run of his career, it’s hard to see anything other than a win for the Brit. Barboza Jr, while a gifted boxer lacks power, which could be his ultimate downfall against the southpaw Catterall. I don’t see this one ending inside the distance, and Catterall’s experience over 12 rounds in comparison to his foe is a welcome advantage. I expect it to be close, but Catterall has showed his ability to edge out his opponents in gruelling 12-round affairs in his last two fights.

Overall prediction: Jack Catterall to beat Arnold Barboza Jr by UD