A DETERMINED Jack Catterall, 30-1 (13 KOs), is desperate to finally challenge for world honours once again, hoping to achieve his long-awaited goal of becoming a world champion. Now, it seems as though the route is a clear one, scheduled to challenge for the WBO Interim title in one months’ time, against Arnold Barboza Jr., 31-0 (11 KOs) – a man whom he believes to be a ‘B-level fighter’.
Catterall famously lost a controversial split-decision to Josh Taylor back in 2022, with the undisputed super-lightweight title at stake, but the Chorley-based southpaw has responded well to that heartbreak and bounced back in style.
Since that lone career defeat, Catterall has won four straight unanimous decisions, defeating three straight former world champions in his most recent outings, including the avengement of his defeat to the ‘Tartan Tornado’.
Meanwhile, Barboza found himself on the flip side of a favourable decision when he was fortunate to get the nod against Ireland’s Sean McComb last April, before re-establishing his quality with a win over former unified world title-holder Jose Ramirez last time out.
However, despite 31 fights to each of their names, Catterall believes that he holds a significant advantage over the Californian, having completed the full 12 rounds on seven occasions, whilst Barboza will be partaking in his first 12-round contest when he travels across the pond.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Barboza defended this fact and reassured his fans that he is more than capable of going the distance when he collides with Catterall.
“If you look at my last fights, my conditioning is never a problem. I train up here at altitude for a reason, so we will see, he thinks he has the advantage, but it is alright.”
In response, Catterall revealed that he has little intention of finding out how Barboza will cope in the championship rounds, before going on to detail why he believes his undefeated rival to be a ‘B-level’ fighter.
“I don’t think that he is going to see the championship rounds.”
“Arnold is a good fighter; I think that he is a B-level fighter. He does the basics very well, I’ve watched his fights whilst I’ve been doing the study, doing my homework, there is not many adjustments in the fights.
“I’ve seen a lot of frustration in the corner and sometimes some not-so-great advice. I believe that I beat him and that I beat him quite comfortably. That being said, I expect a good fight, and I expect him to be fit and strong and to come and try to upset the odds – but it is not happening.”
Catterall-Barboza will be the main attraction at Matchroom’s February 15 event at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The WBO interim title contest will be supported by a clash between Zelfa Barrett, 31-2 (17 KOs), and Jazza Dickens, 34-5 (14 KOs), as well as a British super-featherweight title fight involving Reece Bellotti, 19-5 (14 KOs), and Michael Gomez Jnr, 21-1 (6 KOs).
