We analyse the credentials and statistics of Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr as the pair get set to contest an intriguing WBO 'interim' super-lightweight title showdown in Manchester on Saturday 15th February, 2025.
On Saturday 15th February, Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr will do battle at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, with the ‘interim’ WBO super-lightweight title at stake.
The winner will likely be upgraded to full champion status in the near future as, current holder, Teofimo Lopez has flirted with the idea of moving up to welterweight.
Pre-fight favourite Catterall was convinced he won all four sanctioning body belts, when he fought Josh Taylor, in 2022, however, the judges disagreed.
‘El Gato’ will be determined to prevent another chance from slipping through his fingers!
Barboza Jr struggled the last time he faced a southpaw, as the movement of Sean McComb posed plenty problems, but the American has since boxed a far smarter fight in dispatching former unified world champion, Jose Ramirez.
The big question is who will prevail?
Before we find out, let’s look at the 'Tale of the Tape'.
Jack Catterall | Arnold Barboza Jr | |
Age: | 31 | 33 |
Nickname: | 'El Gato' | N/A |
Height: | 5ft 7ins | 5ft 9ins |
Reach: | 69ins | 72ins |
Weight: | Super-lightweight | Super-lightweight |
Trainer: | Jamie Moore | Arnold Barboza Sr |
Record: | 30-1 (13 KOs) | 31-0 (11 KOs) |
Last Fight: | Won (UD) v Regis Prograis (October 2024) | Won (UD) v Jose Ramirez (November 2024) |
To some, Jack Catterall is the uncrowned king of the super-lightweight division, having been hard done by on the cards against, then-undisputed champion, Josh Taylor.
To others, Catterall is a risk-adverse boxer who rarely provides entertainment.
These beliefs are not mutually exclusive.
There is a case to be made that ‘El Gato’ did not get the rub of the green against the Scotsman, and he proved to be the superior fighter when they met again, last May.
However, it is also true, that the Chorley man was content to coast to a decision rather than attempt to close the show against Regis Prograis, when the American could barely stand on an injured leg.
The 31-year-old can be hard to watch, but he is harder to beat. Catterall is a master at setting the tempo, which just happens to be a slow one.
He possesses excellent timing, balance and footwork: a combination which most fighters would struggle against.
The frustrating thing about the Englishman is that he could adopt a more pro-active approach and still be as effective.
He demonstrated this after suffering a knockdown against Prograis, when he went on the front foot and let his hands go.
With the stakes so high, it will be interesting to see whether Catterall will look to be more positive after finding himself on the wrong end of decision against Taylor, in their initial meeting.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Timing | Tires late in fights |
Counter-punching | Can be reluctant to let his hands go |
Ring IQ | Rarely looks to end a fight |
Dictates the pace | Can be outworked |
Arnold Barboza Jr’s shot at a version of a world title has been a long time coming.
Over the course of his near 12-year career, he has defeated a number of former world champions, title contenders and prospects on the rise.
The 33-year-old scored the biggest win of his career at the tail end of last year, as he comfortably outboxed, former unified 140lbs king, Jose Ramirez.
While the bout was free of drama, it was a mature showing from the American, who refused to get dragged into a toe-to-toe affair.
With the exception of ending fights early, Barboza Jr does most things well, but nothing spectacularly.
Sadly for the Californian, it will likely take more than a Jack-of-all-trades skillset to defeat Catterall, who does certain things extremely well.
However, Barboza Jr has risen to every challenge he has faced and may well do so once more.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Applies pressure | Struggles with movement |
Jab | Stays in range too long |
Body shots | Head falls over front foot |
Work rate | Has never been the 12-round distance |