WBO president Gustavo Oliveiri has confirmed that the battle between #1 Arnold Barboza Jr. and #2 Jack Catterall will likely be for the WBO’s interim gentle welterweight title after they meet on February fifteenth on the Co-op Stay Enviornment in Manchester, England.
Olivieri says this transfer is being made because of the “uncertainty relating to Teofimo Lopez’s profession.” Teo has been all over, speaking about wanting to maneuver as much as 147 to problem IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for his belt, calling out Terence Crawford, and rejecting fights left and proper.
WBO Interim Title Struggle
Teofimo desires to purchase out his contract with Prime Rank’s promoters, additional inflicting uncertainty about his profession. Some consider his actions sabotage it and can smash what’s left.
The Catterall vs. Barboza Jr. battle winner will face Teofimo if he chooses to take the match. That’s an enormous if.
Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) has an excellent probability of defeating Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) if he fights the way in which he did in his current 10-round unanimous determination victory over former unified gentle welterweight champion Jose Ramirez on November sixteenth.
Arnold appeared spectacular in that battle, utilizing a strong jab, good one-two mixtures, and, at occasions, the flexibility to slug with the previous champion.
1/ In gentle of the uncertainty relating to Teofimo Lopez’s profession, it’s in one of the best curiosity of boxing & the 140 lbs division, recommending to #WBO Championship Cmte. that Barboza/Catterall be sanctioned for the Interim title & obligatory topic to particular situations & time-frame
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) January 10, 2025
The Matchroom-promoted Catterall has turned his profession round, profitable 4 straight since dropping to Jack Catterall in 2022. In Could 2024, he avenged his loss to Taylor, profitable a detailed 12-round unanimous determination. Final October, he defeated former two-time 140-lb champion Regis Prograis by a 12-round determination.
Some followers view Catterall as a poor man’s Shakur Stevenson, as he has the identical boring type of hit-and-not-get-hit and never a lot enjoyable to observe. With an excellent cup of sturdy espresso, one can put up with watching Catterall battle.
Catterall retreats after throwing punches and does loads of holding to nullify his opponents’ offense. He’s not entertaining to observe, however his type works for him. It may not be towards Barboza Jr, however he’s obtained the home-country benefit. Arnold beats the brakes off of Catterall.
So, there’s an opportunity he’ll win if it’s shut. Expertise-wise, Barboza Jr. is ranges above and may win simply. Preventing on Catterall’s residence turf makes it difficult to foretell.
