Nick Peet | Catterall vs Barboza Jr

Unbeaten American Arnold Barboza Jr will be in the opposing corner on Saturday night, with only the victor holding any hope of finally landing a title shot this summer.

EL GATO

Catterall went 26-0 to earn a 2022 all-British showdown with Josh Taylor for all the belts and undisputed status at 140lb.

However, two of the three scoring judges that night in Glasgow had a different view on the outcome than the rest of the world and denied the Chorley stylist of his; “And new…” moment.

And, if that wasn’t criminal enough, it’s now three years almost to the day since that split decision fiasco and Catterall is yet to receive another opportunity at any of the belts.

He’s won four straight too; outscoring three former world champions – including Taylor in a rematch – and yet he continues to be ignored by boxing’s array of agenda-driven governing bodies.

Whilst the four belts are being paraded in rings across the world by men with half his wins, the 31-year-old southpaw once again faces a high-risk top contender without the just rewards.

Similar to Catterall, LA’s Barboza Jr is also an avoided man at 140lb.

PERFECT MATCH

His record should be identical to Jack’s, unbeaten in 31 pro fights. But unlike ‘El Gato’, Barboza is yet to even challenge for a world championship.

And it’s not for a lack of trying. The 33-year-old Californian has also beaten a couple of former world champions and is used to facing climbing contenders with winning records.

He’s outscored both Jose Pedraza and Jose Carlos Ramirez in the last two years, whilst also forced dangerous south African Xolisani Ngongeni to retire on his stool.

But it’s perhaps last April’s split decision victory over Belfast’s Sean McComb that provides the most opportunity for Catterall.

The Irishman went to New York as a considerable underdog, yet he pushed Barboza for every minute of every one of their 10 rounds.

McComb looked to have done enough, but the judges were all over the place. One had it six rounds in favour of McComb, another five rounds in favour of Barboza. Sound familiar?

In the aftermath, Barboza admits he had an off night, and he went to Saudi in November to score the best win of his career against Ramirez to back that up.

But if he has another off night in Manchester, he won’t last to the final bell.

OH MANCHESTER!

Home advantage and a vociferous crowd could be vital for Catterall as this is the first time since the first Taylor fight he’s faced a man who does not know how to lose.

Barboza is coming in hard and fast, but the Mancunian can trade with anybody at this weight and is a lot harder to hit than many think.

He tucks up well Jack, creates really good angles and throws scoring punches in bunches.

By the midway point I’d expect both men to have enjoyed positive spells in the fight, but a lack of 12 round experience will make Barboza hesitant to commit down the stretch and afford Catterall liberty to rack up rounds.

It may not be the fight he deserves, but it’s the fight he’s got and Jack can ill afford to slip up now. He won’t.

TIP: Catterall on Points