Abel Sánchez predicts: Arnold Barboza Jr. Activity and skills to ensure victory over Teofimo López

Coach Abel Sánchez is choosing Arnold Barboza Jr. to dethrone the WBO TEOFIMO LÓPEZ WELTER champion on May 2 in his fight in Times Square in New York City.

Abel feels that Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 kos) is the best boxer. He has been more active, fighting frequently, compared to López. All that will play a role in your close decision. López has the advantage of power over Barboza, but Sanchez does not see him be able to land his shots.

Barboza’s sharpness

Teofimo-Barboza Jr. will be the first night fight on the three-fighting card of Turki Alalshikh in Times Square. In the main event, Ryan Garcis faces Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, and in the chest, Devin Haney fights José Ramírez.

“Barboza is good in everything. It is not a great hitter, so I would not say that it is 100%. He has great legs, and Teofimo’s activity may be the reason why Barboza earns a decision, “Abel Sánchez told Fight Hub TV On the fight of May 2 among Wbo Light Teofimo López and Arnold Barboza Jr. Welter champion.

It will be difficult for Teofimo to get his blows against Barboza, because he is not someone who is going to be parked as his last opponent, Steve Clarggett. This is going to be another slippery type, such as when López fought against Jamaine Ortiz in 2024. He had a demon time against that guy, and gained a decision of 12 rounds that many fans felt that he was endowed.

Active and ready

“Barboza fought not long ago (February 15) and will return,” said Abel. “I think that helps. The gym work will not be so difficult. Now it’s about sharpening and staying sharp. The correct weights. So, all those things are a factor to prepare for a fight. “

Barboza Jr. has been very active lately, fighting on February 15 against Jack Catterall, and on November 16 against José Ramírez. He fought four times in 2024. The other two fights of Barboza JR last year were against Sean McComb and Let the house apologize.

“I think Barboza is the best boxer. I think it has better combinations. It has better legs, and positions better. He sees more things than Teo, ”said Sánchez. “Teo is a more talented pitbull style. So, I think Barboza is going to do things to confuse Teo as Kambosos dropped him into the first round. He is going to do things like this and will win a decision. “

If Teofimo has a bad beginning in which he begins to be beaten a lot by Barboza, it could be downhill from there. That is what we saw in his defeat against George Kambosos Jr. in 2021. He baffled him when Teo was dropped into the first round, and never felt comfortable after that. Although he demolished Kamboos in the tenth, he did not end up strong in the eleventh and twelfth. When George defended himself, López collapsed mentally.

Do or die?

“It is a kind of barboza advantage that is a right. He will obtain a great fight, and earns a close decision. Barboza has not shown us that it can be overwhelmed. He has not shown us that it can be dropped, and has not shown us that it can be handled. Maybe this is the fight where Barboza shows us that he is the ruler with 140.

“Does Barboza have a chip on the shoulder, knowing that this is doing or dying? It’s like, ‘you overlooked me and now I’m going to show you.’ I think that is going to play an important role in this. Barboza and Teo, ”said Sanchez, when he was asked what is the most interesting fight of the three in the Times Square event.