In nip-and-tuck fight, Barboza edges Catterall by split decision
Goes on road and claims vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title
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Arnold Barboza Jr. went on the road and scored the biggest win of his career on Saturday.
In a tense, tactical bout, Barboza did just enough to edge Jack Catterall by split decision to win the vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN in Manchester, England, Catterall’s home region.
Two judges scored it 115-113 for Barboza and one scored it 1115-113 for Catterall. Fight Freaks Unite also had it 115-113 for Catterall, whose only other loss was a hugely controversial decision challenging for the undisputed title against then-champion Josh Taylor in 2022.
The win established Barboza as the mandatory challenger for lineal/WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, who must make his next defense against Barboza within 180 days, according to the WBO ruling last month that approved the interim title bout. If Lopez does not fight him the WBO said Lopez would forfeit the title and Barboza will be elevated.
The win was Barboza’s second significant one in a row. He narrowly outpointed former unified titlist Jose Ramirez in November on the “Latino Card” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
After beating Ramirez, Barboza lobbied the WBO for an immediate title shot. He got the next best thing against Catterall for the interim belt and took advantage of it.
