Jack Catterall continues his bid to claim a world title at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday night with a tough clash against unbeaten American Arnold Barboza Jr.
The interim WBO super lightweight title is up for grabs and the winner of this bout will be in line for a shot at the current holder of that title, Teofimo Lopez.
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Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr betting tips
Catterall can pass Barboza test
Jack Catterall should have been the unified super lightweight world champion back in 2022, but a controversial split decision loss to Josh Taylor means he is still waiting to hold a top level title.
The Chorley man is on a four-fight winning streak since that loss and he managed to avenge his defeat to Taylor in a rematch but there were no belts on the line.
Catterall has also picked up wins over skilled veteran Jorge Linares and heavy hitter Regis Prograis and Saturday’s opponent Arnold Barboza Jr looks to be an easier assignment than his last three fights – on paper at least.
Barboza has a 31-0 record and comes into the bout after the best win of his career, a points victory over former world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez.
While Catterall is probably a level above the opponents he’s previously faced, Barboza has passed every test he has faced so far and shouldn’t be underestimated despite being a big-price underdog.
Catterall will have the home crowd behind him and he’s looked both slick and powerful in his last couple of outings.
Barboza Jr has attempted to label this bout as a technician vs a power puncher, with Catterall the latter, but that isn’t a true reflection on this bout and the Englishman is capable of mixing up his styles.
Neither fighter has a particularly impressive stoppage record as Catterall has 13 early finishes in 20 wins and Barboza has 11 on his CV.
Catterall makes himself awkward to hit and is a master at controlling the distance and bringing his dangerous left hand into play, and he can use all his experience and nous to outpoint Barboza and condemn the American to a first career defeat.
UD for Catterall provides an odds-against option
If you’re looking to push the price up, taking a chance on all three judges to score the fight in Catterall’s favour looks the best option.
Catterall is clearly the more likely of the two to score a knockdown as he sent Prograis to the canvas and knocked Taylor down in their first bout, while Barboza has only managed one stoppage in his last eight.
Both fighters will probably enjoy pockets of success on Saturday, but Catterall carries that bit more power and should connect with the more eye-catching shots.
Barboza relies heavily on his jab and that should see him win a few rounds, but a jab alone isn’t enough to outpoint a quality operator like Catterall and he can record a fifth straight unanimous points win on Saturday.
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