Arnold Barboza Jr. defeats Jack Catterall by split-decision in Manchester and secures the WBO interim super lightweight title.
Manchester, England – Arnold Barboza Jr. prevailed in a hard-fought duel against Jack Catterall, winning by split-decision at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The judges were divided: Marcus McDonnell scored the fight 115-113 for Catterall, while Leszek Jankowiak and Patrick Morley both scored the fight 115-113 for Barboza Jr.
With this win, Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 knockouts) remains undefeated and handed Catterall (30-2, 13 knockouts) the second loss of his career. The fight, organized by Matchroom Boxing, was marked by technical finesse and hard to score. Catterall dominated the opening rounds, but Barboza Jr. found his rhythm in the second half of the fight. Catterall put in a strong performance in the ninth round in particular, but Barboza Jr. countered with precise strikes at the end of the round. In the tenth round, Catterall thought he had scored a knockdown, but referee Steve Gray ruled it a slip. Despite an energetic final spurt from Catterall, the narrow points victory went to the American.
With this success, Barboza Jr. has now secured himself a chance to fight WBO super lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez.
Undercard results: McCormack impresses, Dickens surprises Barrett, Bellotti stops Gomez Jr.
James Dickens (35-5, 14 knockouts) caused a surprise when he defeated Zelfa Barrett (31-3, 17 knockouts) unanimously on points to secure the WBA International super featherweight title. Up-and-coming welterweight Pat McCormack (7-0, 5 knockouts) put in a strong performance, forcing Robbie Davies Jr. (24-6, 15 knockouts) to retire in the sixth round. Davies Jr. was knocked down twice in the third round and once in the fifth, prompting his trainer Anthony Crolla to stop the fight.
In the co-main event, Reece Bellotti (20-5, 15 knockouts) defended his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles with a tenth-round TKO victory over Michael Gomez Jr. (21-2, 6 knockouts).