Arnold Barboza vs. Jack Catterall | DAZN - 15 February 2025

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WBO orders Arnold Barboza and Jack Catterall to fight over mandatory spot for Teofimo Lopez

Arnold Barboza and Jack Catterall could be on course to fight in February.

The WBO championship committee has ordered respective parties to commence negotiations for a fight to determine the mandatory challenger at 140lbs, to champion Teofimo Lopez, and teams – in this case Golden Boy for Barboza and Matchroom for Catterall – have 20 days to agree terms or the WBO will take it to purse bids.

Barboza, ranked No. 1 by the WBO, and Catterall, rated No. 2, have traded barbs on social media.

Barboza won a tepid 10-round fight with Jose Ramirez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, more than a week ago, and the Californian is 31-0 (11 KOs), while southpaw Catterall, from Chorley in the UK, is 30-1 (13 KOs), and is coming off a career best 2024 that has included victories over Josh Taylor in May and Regis Prograis in October.

Barboza told Catterall on X: “I know you want top 10 only as well. We can get it on. Tell Eddie to call Oscar.”

Catterall replied: “I know Frank Smith is talking to Eric Gomez. Let’s see if you accept.”

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February 15 in Manchester

“[It’s] very close,” Hearn told Boxing Scene. “We’re negotiating with Golden Boy, for February in Manchester. Jack has agreed – we’re just trying to finalise with Golden Boy and hopefully it will be getting it over the line in the next couple of days.”

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[JxhDel.]

If Barboza's fights like in his last, doing the bare minimum to do it, Jack is going to run circles around him.

[TheLeprechaun]

Watch Barboza vs Sean McComb. He lost every round and got the decision. Catterall isn't Sean McComb. He shouldn't have any problems with Barboza. Whether or not he gets the decision is the question.

[margaret thatcher]

barboza got a gift vs mccomb but has legitimately beaten better fighters than mccomb (and gavin gwyne). if they just go on that fight he could be underestimated. cat is better than mccomb but he's a very low output 5'7 not an awkward 6'1. barboza isnt going to have the same problems getting in range and it could make for a different dynamic.

[skanksta]

barboza got a gift vs mccomb but has legitimately beaten better fighters than mccomb (and gavin gwyne). if they just go on that fight he could be underestimated. cat is better than mccomb but he's 5'7 not an awkward 6'1. barboza isnt going to have the same problems getting in range and it could make for a different dynamic.

Really ?
I see 'mastering the range' as what El Gatto is really good at.

[margaret thatcher]

really. barboza is fighting a guy 6 inches shorter than mccomb, a guy 2 inches shorter than himself rather than 4 inches taller, who needs to close the distance himself. it's a much different dynamic where cat will need to get in and out rather than just being lanky spanky from way outside like mccomb.

according to compubox, cat also has the 5th lowest power punches thrown per fight of anyone they've tracked who is still active. people mention barboza doing the minimum but that's the name of the game for jack too. he probably wont outwork barboza like mccomb did

just going by the mccomb fight and assuming its easy work is a recipe for a much tougher night than expected for cat

[skanksta]

really. he is fighting a guy 6 inches shorter than mccomb, a guy 2 inches shorter than himself rather than 4 inches taller, who needs to close the distance himself. it's a much different dynamic where cat will need to get in and out rather than just being lanky spanky from outside like mccomb.

according to compubox, cat also has the 5th lowest power punches thrown per fight of anyone they've tracked who is still active. people mention barboza doing the minimum but that's the name of the game for jack too. he probably wont outwork barboza like mccomb did

just going by the mccomb fight and assuming its easy work is a recipe for a much tougher night than expected for cat

Oh styles make fights for sure and it's one result, but it's not like height is everything.
El Gatto is obviously much better than McComb.

I'm not saying it will be easy or anything, but if you struggle to get to McComb because of the height/awkwardness, you may well struggle to get to Gatto - 'cos he's a tricky "bettter than he looks" facker.

[margaret thatcher]

gav gwyne busting up mccomb is a good example of how much styles play into it. barboza is far better than gwyne, but being much shorter and with a lower output he struggled more vs the same guy. barboza has legitimately beaten guys better than mccomb already too.

you cant change a guy's height by 6 inches (barb going from 4 inches shorter to 2 inches taller) and reduce his punch output and not expect a different dynamic, even if he is the superior fighter.

cat id think would win if he's on his game but i dont see a shutout schooling type of affair, and he could blow it or leave it very close if he's lazy or not prepared.

[TheLeprechaun]

gav gwyne busting up mccomb is a good example of how much styles play into it. barboza is far better than gwyne, but being much shorter and with a lower output he struggled more vs the same guy. barboza has legitimately beaten guys better than mccomb already too.

you cant change a guy's height by 6 inches (barb going from 4 inches shorter to 2 inches taller) and reduce his punch output and not expect a different dynamic, even if he is the superior fighter.

cat id think would win if he's on his game but i dont see a shutout schooling type of affair, and he could blow it or leave it very close if he's lazy or not prepared.

Good post. Gwyne showed that McComb is a quitter who will look for a way out under pressure. You just need to have a front foot pressure game which Barboza doesn't have. Barboza is a limited guy, overhyped.

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Does this mean it’s not happening?

Why don’t WBO just make Jack mandatory?

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Negotiation period extended

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Jack Catterall-Arnold Barboza done, could be for all the marbles at junior welterweight

Whether it arises to a full-fledged title bout by fight night is in the hands of Teofimo Lopez’s handlers, but Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jnr will at least get as close as possible to the WBO 140-pound title February 15 when they clash in Manchester, England.

Matchroom formally announced that the deal has been finalized for England’s Catterall 30-1 (13 KOs) to meet Southern California’s Barboza 31-0 (11 KOs) in the WBO final eliminator.

Champion Lopez has made repeated attempts to land a welterweight fight, most recently pushing IBF champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis for a title shot after previously doing so with new WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr.

Should Lopez agree to a next fight and vacate his 140-pound belt, the WBO would likely bless Catterall-Barboza as the title fight.

Both men, respectively have defeated recent undisputed and unified champions Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez.

Catterall avenged a disputed 2022 loss to Taylor on the scorecards by defeating him by unanimous decision in May, and Barboza is coming off a November unanimous-decision triumph (97-93, 96-94, 96-94) over Ramirez in Saudi Arabia.

DAZN will stream the bout.

“I’m looking forward to fighting back in Manchester,” Catterall said in a Sunday news release. “It was an unbelievable experience opening big time boxing (by defeating former 140-pound champion Regis Prograis) at Co-op Live back in October. I’m looking to do it bigger and better on February 15. I’ve got a great fight in Barboza Jr. I’m glad he finally found his pen. I’m not overlooking him, but I’m ready to smash him to pieces to cement my spot for the WBO World Title. I’m geared up for this one.”

Barboza expects his second consecutive road trip to be a memorable experience.

“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to take my skills overseas and contribute to my team’s success,” he said in a prepared statement. “I’m truly excited to do what I do best and make it a meaningful win.”

With Barboza promoter Oscar De LaHoya calling it a “pick-em” fight, Catterall promoter Eddie Hearn pointed to the possibility of the match taking on increased stakes.

“This is absolutely huge. It is a final eliminator … and, hopefully, it could even be for the world title if Teofimo Lopez gets out of the way,” Hearn said. “Jack should already be an undisputed world champion. And there is no better way than to prove that he has earned his place at the very top by beating Arnold Barboza Jr in what is a fantastic fight.”

[maverick23]

Isn’t this just a week after Del Boy’s fight at the same arena?! Very strange decision.

Apparently Del Boy has already done over 8,000 tickets so unless they price Catterall’s show very cheaply I think they may struggle to 5/6,000.

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Isn’t this just a week after Del Boy’s fight at the same arena?! Very strange decision.

Apparently Del Boy has already done over 8,000 tickets so unless they price Catterall’s show very cheaply I think they may struggle to 5/6,000.

I do hope promoters don't start abandoning the Manchester (AO)Arena.

I think they gonna have to.. Catterall isn't a draw unfortunately, and his opponent is less known to UK fans than Prograis.

[keithmoonhangover]

I'll be going to this one, anyone else fancy it?

[mickey1975]

Isn’t this just a week after Del Boy’s fight at the same arena?! Very strange decision.

Apparently Del Boy has already done over 8,000 tickets so unless they price Catterall’s show very cheaply I think they may struggle to 5/6,000.

Tudsbury and Brown will be used on this and Ste Clarke will sell his usual 1,000.

[maverick23]

Isn’t this just a week after Del Boy’s fight at the same arena?! Very strange decision.

Apparently Del Boy has already done over 8,000 tickets so unless they price Catterall’s show very cheaply I think they may struggle to 5/6,000.

Tudsbury and Brown will be used on this and Ste Clarke will sell his usual 1,000.

Brown won’t be used. They’ve already announced him headlining his debut late March.

[SeanBrennan]

Isn’t this just a week after Del Boy’s fight at the same arena?! Very strange decision.

Apparently Del Boy has already done over 8,000 tickets so unless they price Catterall’s show very cheaply I think they may struggle to 5/6,000.

Blimey I did not know Chisora was such a big ticket seller.

[mickey1975]

I'll be going to this one, anyone else fancy it?

I'm considering it.

[mickey1975]

I'll be going to this one, anyone else fancy it?

I'm considering it.

Keith, I'm in. There's a glitch on the system right now. Go onto the seat map and buy from there and you'll get £115.50 tickets for £60. Go in through the CO-OP app.

[SeanBrennan]

I'm mulling this one