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Jack Catterall’s promoter Eddie Hearn hopes his WBO light welterweight title eliminator against Arnold Barboza Jr. be it for the full belt when they meet on February 15 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Will Teofimo leave?
Matchroom promoter Hearn has WBO 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez vacating his title to move up to 147 to pursue bigger fights, possibly against the IBF welterweight champion, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Whether that happens or not, it still doesn’t work in Hearn’s favor because Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) may not get past the more talented Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs) on February 15.
The only thing going in Catterall’s favor for this fight is that it’s in his neck of the woods in England, which means he could win a decision he doesn’t value. If the rounds get close, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Catterall is dealt.
Barboza Jr. To ruin Hearn’s vision
Barboza Jr. he is the better talent of the two and is able to win this fight based on his offensive skill advantage. Catterall is like a British version of Shakur Stevenson, an imperfect imitation of reality. Jack has the exact same moves as Shakur, but without the speed, reflexes and ring IQ.
“It’s a final eliminator for the WBO world title and hopefully it could even be for the world title if Teofimo Lopez walks away. Jack should be an undisputed world champion by now” Hearn said. “And there’s no better way to show that he’s earned his place at the top than by beating Arnold Barboza Jr in what is a fantastic fight in the 140-pound division.”
Hearn’s comment about how Catterall should be the undisputed world champion is already due to his controversial loss to Josh Taylor on February 26, 2022. Hearn is still fond of that loss, but it was not controversial. Taylor landed the hardest shots all night and was the one attacking.
If Catterall wanted to win, he should have stayed in the pocket instead of using his three-foot step-back approach on Shakur every time Taylor got ahead. It was so boring to watch, and it was obvious that Catterall was trying to get a cheap win. The judges were having none of it.
Catterall was not seen in his recent fight against Regis Prograis on October 26 in Manchester. The former warrior, Prograis, dropped Catterall in the fifth and had him on the run throughout the 12-round contest.
The judges gave Catterall a 12-round unanimous decision, but it was like watching one of Shakur’s fights. so boring Had the contest been held in the US, the fans would have booed Catterall out of the arena that night. You have to be able to entertain in this day and age.
Fighters like Shakur and Catterall are relics of the past and don’t belong there. Hearn will have a lot of work on his hands trying to promote the Catterall-Barboza Jr event. on February 15.
