What’s Next For Arnold Barboza?

Arnold Barboza Jr. defeated Jack Catterall to secure the WBO Interim Junior Welterweight Title, as we look at his next steps.

Barboza produced an impressive victory to secure a title shot against the full champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. He could become the next champion if Lopez moves up to 147 pounds and is stripped. Alternatively, he will face off against Lopez in one of the biggest fights of his career. Barboza has shown previously that he has what it takes to be a world champion. He secured a win over former world champion Jose Pedraza. The immediate focus will be on the Lopez fight. The Takeover defended his title by defeating Steve Claggett in his last fight. Lopez has since then been trying to secure a fight with Terence Crawford. 

But that is unlikely since Crawford is facing Canelo at 168 pounds in September. Lopez could decide to face the other champions at 140 pounds or vacate. If he were to vacate and Barboza became the full champion, he could target the other champions in the 140-pound division. There is a possible fight against the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Richardson Hitchins. Hitchins defeated Liam Paro in his last fight to secure the belt. 

Options

He could also target a fight with the WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Jose Valenzuela. He defeated Isaac Cruz in an upset win to secure the belt. Alternatively, there are plenty of fighters with Matchroom Boxing for him to focus on. Matchroom and Golden Boy air their shows on DAZN, making it easier to make fights. Barboza could take on Paro, who will be desperate to secure a title shot after losing his belt to Hitchins. There is also the opportunity to fight Devin Haney.

While Haney is not signed to Matchroom Boxing, he does work very closely with Hearn. There is also the possibility of facing off against some Subriel Matias. Matias has worked with Matchroom Boxing before and was considered a boogeyman of the division before his defeat to Paro. That puts Barboza in a very good position moving forward, given that he is now on the cusp of securing the big paydays.

“I honestly didn’t have it that close. I thought I [won] more rounds but this is his backyard, man. Since I been little, I didn’t care about fitting in, I just wanted respect since I was a kid. I got my respect today; my father got his respect today,” Barboza said

Full Card

Arnold Barboza Jr. beat Jack Catterall by split decision (12 rounds) to win the interim WBO super lightweight title.

Reece Bellotti defeated Michael Gomez Jr. after 10 rounds (corner stoppage) to keep his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles.

Pat McCormack won against Robbie Davies Jr. (corner stoppage, 6 rounds) in a welterweight fight.

James “Jazza” Dickens defeated Zelfa Barrett by unanimous decision (10 rounds) in a super featherweight fight.

William Crolla stopped Ayoub Zakari in the first round (TKO) in a super welterweight fight.

Aqib Fiaz stopped Lydon Chircop in the third round (TKO) in a lightweight fight.

Conner Tudsbury stopped Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano in the second round (TKO) in a light heavyweight fight.