Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
Catterall: “I’m not leaving it to the judges subsequent Saturday. I believe he’s common, a B class fighter. I imagine I cease him, 100%”
Barboza Jr: “I’m general higher than him at all the things. You’re going to see what a hype job you’re. He’s going to search out out February fifteenth”
All of the quotes from final evening’s Jack Catterall vs. Arnold Barboza Jr Reside Face Off forward of their interim WBO Tremendous-Light-weight World Title battle at Co-op Reside in Manchester on Saturday February 15, proven dwell worldwide on DAZN.
Watch the total Reside Face Off again on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman: “Welcome everyone to Manchester forward of what’s an excellent evening of boxing subsequent Saturday, the fifteenth of February, on the Co-op Reside in Manchester – dwell and unique around the globe on DAZN. For me, probably the greatest match-ups at 140 lbs.
“The person that ought to be undisputed – Jack Catterall. No query, certainly one of Britain’s pound-for-pound high fighters proper now. Coming off 4 big headline occasions and victories. Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis to call a number of, and now into probably an important battle of his profession for this – the WBO interim World Championship.
“In opposition to the person to my left, 31-0, Arnold Barboza Jr. It’s the primary and quantity two on the earth rankings. The person that might be king after this battle. We wished to do one thing a bit bit totally different for you tonight.
“Subsequent week shall be electrical, not simply with this battle however an unbelievable undercard in Manchester. The dangerous blood battle between Reece Bellotti and Michael Gomez Jr for the British and Commonwealth Championships. The step-up for Pat McCormack towards Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr. Zelfa Barrett from Manchester will battle Jazza Dickens, and a lot extra.
“That is the battle that they’re speaking about as probably probably the greatest within the division. Not only a nice run of type for Jack Catterall, however this man (Barboza Jr) coming off victory in Saudi Arabia towards Jose Ramirez. He believes he has the instruments to beat Jack Catterall – probably the most in-form fighters at 140 lbs.”
Jack Catterall: “In fact I respect his capacity. Once more, he’s mentioned it earlier than, he’s been working laborious to get to this place. I’ll stand on what I mentioned – I don’t assume he’s an incredible fighter. I believe he’s common, a B class fighter. I can solely consider two opponents that he’s boxed. Sean McComb, who beat him, and Ramirez – who I didn’t assume was in the very best type that evening. None the much less, give him his credit score, he turned up and did what he needed to do. It’s an entire totally different ball recreation subsequent weekend.
“We’ve watched tape of him and we’ve been learning. We’ve been working laborious within the fitness center and each battle now I really feel like we’ve been getting higher, with the exercise of those huge headline fights. I’ll see what occurs on battle evening. Till the primary bell goes, and I see his response, this can be a huge alternative, not only for me however for each of us. I’m not leaving it to the judges subsequent Saturday. I imagine I cease him, 100%.
“You’ve by no means seen 12 rounds and also you’re not going to see the 12 spherical distance subsequent Saturday. I believe he is aware of what he’s up towards. Hear, we don’t get to this stage in these huge fights by overlooking the opponents. I believe he’s in for a shock subsequent Saturday. I’m in good type. We obtained straight again within the fitness center after the Prograis battle and we’ve been grafting. Issues have gone nice this camp and I’m going to point out it subsequent Saturday. I respect what you’ve performed in your journey to get right here however it all ends subsequent Saturday.”
Arnold Barboza Jr: “I’ve been calling for this battle since 2022 after I met him on the Ramirez and Taylor battle. That’s the place we met. This can be a nice alternative. All of his residence help booing me goes to show me on. It’s one thing that I’ve dreamed about. This can be a battle that I’ve been ready for my entire profession. I labored laborious to get right here – identical to him. Let’s get it on.
“I really feel like my entire profession I’ve been the underdog. Even after I’m the favorite, I really feel like I’ve been neglected my entire profession. Persons are lastly beginning to see who Barboza actually is. Come February fifteenth my hand shall be raised and that belt shall be coming residence with me.
“I’m an general higher fighter than him. Catterall calls me a B stage fighter however the one factor particular about him is that he’s hefty. That’s it. We’ll discover out. We are able to speak and do all that however February fifteenth is once we will discover out. It’s across the nook.
“He can say Ramirez is previous his finest and I can say the identical factor concerning the final three victories he simply had. Linares retired after their battle, Regis was going to retire after their battle. Josh Taylor had a tousled knee. He can say all he needs, I don’t assume he’s ever confronted anybody like me. He’s going to search out out February fifteenth.
“He doesn’t win this battle inside the gap. He doesn’t win this battle; it’s that easy. If there’s going to be a stoppage it’s going to be me stopping him. We’re going to see. I’m general higher than him at all the things. The one factor that makes you totally different is you’re a lefty, that’s it, you’re common bro. My situation is high notch. You’ll see.
“Individuals don’t know what they’re going to get relating to me as a result of I can do all of it. He’s going to search out out. I can keep, I can brawl and I can field. You’re going to see what a hype job you’re, you’re common bro. I’m going to make you look common.”
Catterall vs. Barboza Jr tops an enormous evening of boxing in Manchester, Watford’s Reece Bellotti (19-5, 14 KOs) defends his British and Commonwealth Tremendous-Featherweight Titles towards Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jr (21-1, 6 KOs) in a highly-anticipated grudge match, Pat McCormack (6-0, 4 KOs) steps up as he defends his WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Title towards Liverpool’s former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Robbie Davies Jr (24-5, 15 KOs).
It’s a Manchester vs. Liverpool showdown as former World Title challengers Zelfa Barrett (31-2, 17 KOs) and Jazza Dickens (34-5, 14 KOs) conflict for the WBA Worldwide Tremendous-Featherweight Title, Manchester Gentle-Heavyweight Conner Tudsbury makes his skilled debut towards Belgium’s Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano.
Oldham’s Aqib Fiaz (12-1, 1 KO) returns at Light-weight towards Malta’s Lydon Chircop (7-2, 4 KOs) over six rounds, Manchester Tremendous-Welterweight powerhouse William Crolla (6-0, 5 KOs) faces Spain’s Ayoub Zakari (5-7-1) over six rounds and Manchester Featherweight Alfie Middlemiss (1-0) kicks off the Earlier than The Bell motion in a 4 spherical battle with Middlesborough’s Caine Singh (1-5-2).
