Exclusive: Barboza Jr Embraces Manchester Welcome as He Targets Catterall’s Title Dream

Despite aiming to dash Jack Catterall’s dream of becoming the UK’s latest world champion, Arnold Barboza Jr has thanked the North-West’s boxing fans for their “amazing” hospitality as he prepares to lock horns with his fellow super-lightweight.

Ranked as the number one contender to Teofimo Lopez, who currently wears the WBO crown, Barboza Jr enters the lion’s den on Saturday night when he faces local hero Catterall in Manchester. 

With the 31-year-old from nearby Chorley positioned second on the list of suitors to the legendary American, either he or Barboza Jr will be guaranteed a shot at the title if they prevail at Co-op Live.

After finding himself on the wrong end of a controversial points decision to Josh Taylor - when the Scotsman still held all four of the division’s recognised belts in 2022 - many observers feel that Catterall deserves to reach the pinnacle of his profession having later avenged that loss.

But, describing himself as the “complete fighter”, the unbeaten Barboza Jr admits to being touched by the welcome he has received since crossing the Atlantic a fortnight ago.

“It’s been great in Manchester,” the Californian said, during an exclusive interview with SportsBoom ahead of this weekend’s final eliminator. 

“The people have been amazing and the city is brilliant."

“Man, you guys over here are amazing fans and I’m hopefully going to be heading back home with a new British fan base."

“I’ve heard everyone complains about the weather and yes, it’s been cold. But I’ve trained in the Big Bear mountains before so, trust me, this is fine."

“I’ve found a really good gym where my team and I have based ourselves. Everyone has been really friendly, which tells you a lot about the people here.”

Aged 33, Barboza Jr has yet to taste defeat in 30 outings as a professional with 11 of his victories coming inside the distance. 

The last of those wins was perhaps the most notable of his career, beating former WBC and WBO king Jose Ramirez on a Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia.

IMPRESSIVE CV

Catterall’s impressive resume also contains some big names, including two time champion Regis Prograis and Jorge Linares - who has ruled three different weight classes. 

Crucially, he also gained revenge over Taylor when they clashed for a second time in May. The only trouble, from Catterall’s perspective, was that his rival had surrendered the WBO and Ring prizes to Lopez 11 months earlier.

“I’m the complete fighter,” said Barboza Jr. 

“I can do it all - box, scrap, punch, go forwards or backwards. Nobody knows what they’re going to face when they get in there against me."

“I’ve faced and come through a lot, in life and in boxing. I’ve overcome things not everyone could and that’s what gives me tunnel vision."

“All the experience I’ve had, it’s been leading up to this moment. It doesn’t bother me coming over here, into his backyard, because I’ve got total belief in me and the people around me."

“I’m the joker in the pack because of all the things I can do.”