Jack Catterall v Arnold Barboza Jr: Prediction, Tips & Odds

Rob Tebbutt provides his best bets for Saturday night's bill-topping showdown between Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr as the British star bids to establish himself as mandatory challenger for a crack at Teofimo Lopez Jr's WBO super-lightweight title.

Jack Catterall v Arnold Barboza Jr Tips

Jack Catterall - By Decision / Technical Decision @ 4/6
Jack Catterall - To Score A Knockdown @ 2/1
Jack Catterall - To Score A Knockdown & Win By Decision @ 7/2

Jack Catterall faces Arnold Barboza Jr over 12 rounds in Manchester on Saturday night, with the winner within touching distance of a world super-lightweight title shot.

Catterall enters the bout in the form of his career, with wins over Regis Prograis, Josh Taylor and Jorge Linares in his last three.

Barboza Jr is coming off his own career-best win, a 10 round decision victory over Jose Ramirez in November, but will have to be even better if he is going to retain his unbeaten record against the wily, capable Catterall.

Often derided for his “lack of excitement”, Catterall remains one of the trickiest puzzles to solve in the super-lightweight division.

When considering the issues Barboza Jr had against another southpaw, Belfast’s Sean McComb, I can see Catterall bamboozling the American and picking up the rounds in clear, if not explosive, fashion.

While Catterall does carry power in the left hand, he also struggles, at times, to go through the gears when he has his man hurt.

While odds on a Catterall stoppage (9/2) are appealing and I do think he has the power to hurt Barboza, I think he’ll likely cruise home to a decision victory and book a world title shot in the process.

Jack Catterall v Arnold Barboza Jr Odds

(Odds will display when markets are available).