Arnold Barboza Jr. and Jack Catterall will fight for the WBO interim championship

WBO President Gustavo Oliveiri has confirmed that the fight between #1 Arnold Barboza Jr. and #2 Jack Catterall will be for the interim WBO light welterweight title when they meet on February 15 at the Co -op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

Olivieri says that this movement is due to the ““uncertainty about the career of Teófimo López.” Teo has been all over the place, talking about wanting to move up to 147 to challenge IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for his belt, criticizing Terence Crawford and turning down fights left and right.

Fight for the WBO interim title

Teófimo wants to terminate his contract with Top Rank promoters, creating even more uncertainty about his career. Some believe their actions will sabotage it and ruin what is left.

The winner of the fight between Catterall and Barboza Jr. will face Teofimo if he decides to win the fight. That’s a big if.

Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) has a good chance of defeating Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) if he fights like he did in his recent 10-round unanimous decision victory over the former unified light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez. on November 16.

Arnold looked impressive in that fight, using a powerful jab, good one-two combinations and, at times, the ability to brawl with the former champion.

1/ Given the uncertainty about Teófimo López’s career, it is in the best interest of boxing and the 140-pound division to recommend #OMB Championship Championship. that Barboza/Catterall be sanctioned by the interim and mandatory title subject to specific conditions and deadlines

— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) January 10, 2025

Matchroom-promoted Catterall has turned his career around, winning four straight since losing to Jack Catterall in 2022. In May 2024, he avenged his loss to Taylor, winning a close 12-round unanimous decision. Last October, he defeated former two-time 140-pound champion Regis Prograis by 12-round decision.

Some fans see Catterall as a poor man’s Shakur Stevenson, as he has the same hit-and-don’t-get-hit style of approach. Catterall retreats after throwing punches and holds on a lot to nullify his opponents’ offense. He’s not entertaining to watch, but his style works for him. It may not be against Barboza Jr, but he has the home advantage.

So there is a chance that you will win if it is closed. In terms of talent, Barboza Jr. is levels above and should win easily. Fighting on Catterall’s turf makes it difficult to predict.