Jack Catterall lost for only the second time in his boxing career on Saturday night as Arnold Barboza Jr edged a split decision victory.
‘El Gato’ was just one win away from a shot at Teofimo Lopez and the WBO super-lightweight title but fell on the wrong side of a tight decision.
Barboza Jr denied the hometown favourite, with Catterall struggling for any kind of offensive rhythm. Though the 32-year-old did have some success, he just couldn’t get enough shots together to leave a bigger impact on the judges when it came to the scorecards.
The American was awarded the decision largely because he was the busier of the two, albeit there was little to split the pair at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.
Now, a shot at Lopez awaits while Catterall looks to build again, having come into the fight on the back of a series of impressive victories.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr latest updates
- Arnold Barboza Jr beats Jack Catterall via split decision
Good night!
23:18 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arnold Barboza Jr’s split decision victory over Jack Catterall.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:48 , Jonathan GorrieClassy from Catterall.
While he thinks he did enough, Catterall insists he has no complaints about the decision.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:45 , Jonathan GorrieCatterall looks shocked...
The crowning moment for @jrBarbozaArnold 👑#CatterallBarboza pic.twitter.com/X5KwEEG4B1
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 15, 2025
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:44 , Jonathan GorrieBARBOZA JR WINS VIA SPLIT DECISION!
115-113, 115-113, 113-115!
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:39 , Jonathan GorrieRound 12: It’s over!
Both men raise their arms in celebration. It’s desperately close.
Going to be fascinating to see what happens on the cards. Catterall looked frustrated in there, with Barboza boxing very well indeed.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:36 , Jonathan GorrieRound 11: This could easily be a draw. It’s that close.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:31 , Jonathan GorrieRound 10: Down goes Barboza! Lovely shot but it won’t go down as a knockdown, as their feet had tangled.
Big morale boost for El Gato, however.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:28 , Jonathan GorrieRound 9: Lovely shot from ‘El Gato’, his best of the night with a straight left down the middle.
Barboza Jr takes it well but signs Catterall can buzz him.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:25 , Jonathan GorrieRound 8: Any time Barboza is on the back foot, he pounces back and lands.
Catterall is looking frustrated in there.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:22 , Jonathan GorrieRound 7: Barboza finding success with single power shots.
Catterall lands despite his opponent complaining to the ref, which infuriates him even more.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:21 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Catterall raises the crowd with a counter right hook but Barboza responds with a much cleaner punch at the end of the round.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:14 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Catterall back to trying to take control but Barboza Jr going nowhere.
The American is having much more success already, albeit everything can change when a fight is this fast-paced.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:07 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: Catterall started the round with a stiff double jab but Barboza ends it by moving into the ascendancy.
His reach is giving ‘El Gato’ something to think about.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:04 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: Barboza Jr lands a left hand right at the end of the round, though Catterall is largely escaping his attacks well.
Still, a decent round for the American.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
22:02 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Catterall remains on the outside, looking to avoid getting drawn into a scrap.
Barboza Jr stepping up the pace somewhat, however.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
21:59 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: A typically measured round from Catterall, who is looking to feel his way into the fight.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
21:45 , Jonathan GorrieAnd here comes Catterall!
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
21:42 , Jonathan GorrieHere we go! Barboza Jr making his way to the ring as we speak.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:26 , Jonathan GorrieRound 9: It’s over!
Gomez Jr’s corner pull him out. He’s frustrated, but that’s the right decision.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:26 , Jonathan GorrieRound 8: Gomez down again after another big body shot!
Bellotti cannot quite close it out and the round ends with yet another clash of heads.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:22 , Jonathan GorrieRound 7: Bellotti has upped the pace of late, looking to avoid a situation where the cut plays an impact.
He’s keep Gomez Jr at bay with his jab. Tough night for him.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:14 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Bellotti with a nasty cut from a clash of heads but hangs on in there.
Gomez Jr has recovered well but still cannot find much in the way of success.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:09 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Gomez Jr down after a fierce body shot! He gets up to continue and lands a nice uppercut.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
21:02 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: Gomez Jr is only landing single shots, he surely has to work the body to slow the pace down.
Lovely left hook from Bellotti to finish the round.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
20:59 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Much better from Bellotti, who is boxing well on the move.
Gomez Jr just cannot deal with his movement.
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
20:54 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Both find success, though Gomez perhaps the busier.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr
20:45 , Jonathan GorrieReece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr up next!
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:41 , Jonathan GorrieWhat a showing...
One word to describe that @PatMcCormack14 display?
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 15, 2025
We'll start, 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 😤#CatterallBarboza pic.twitter.com/SIjR919rvw
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:32 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Boom!
McCormack claims a TKO. Brilliant peformance.
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:27 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Davies Jr takes another two big right hands but remains hanging on in there.
Testament to his character here.
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:17 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: He’s down again!
Same combination, though Davies Jr gets up again. Saved by the bell on unsteady legs.
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:15 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: A big right hand buzzes Davies Jr.
And down goes Davies Jr! A tremendous left-right combo.
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:13 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: McCormack is so quick. Any time Davies Jr moves in, his opponent cuts him off.
Hard work for Davies Jr in there.
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
20:09 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Decent pressure on McCormack and what looks a slight cut on Davies Jr.
McCormack looks in command.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr
20:01 , Jonathan GorriePat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr up next!
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:51 , Jonathan GorrieDickens wins via unanimous decision!
97-93, 97-93, 96-94
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:49 , Jonathan GorrieRound 10: It’s over!
Dickens has surely won that. What a performance.
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:45 , Jonathan GorrieRound 9: Brilliant counter punching from Dickens.
Barrett needs something in the final round.
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:42 , Jonathan GorrieRound 8: Barrett finding a touch more success with his jab but he remains open to the countered left hand.
Dickens with more combinations and looks comfortable enough even when Barrett lets his hands go.
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:37 , Jonathan GorrieRound 7: More great work from Dickens, who keeps finding success at long range.
Barrett has had the odd shot but his opponent looks a different level.
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:34 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Barrett starts strongly but Dickens comes into the round at the end and connects with a lovely right hand.
Dickens looking a slight class above here.
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
19:30 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Dickens is landing the cleaner work, albeit Barrett isn’t without his success.
Dickens surely ahead thus far.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr
19:13 , Jonathan GorrieAway we go!
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens up first!
Catterall vs Barboza Jr: Odds for boxing tonight
18:34 , Jonathan GorrieCatterall to win: 2/5
Catterall to win via KO or TKO: 5/1
Catterall to win via decision or technical decision: 4/5
Barboza Jr to win: 2/1
Barboza Jr to win via KO or TKO: 11/1
Barboza Jr to win via decision or technical decision: 3/1
Draw: 16/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr: Weights for boxing tonight
17:50 , Jonathan GorrieCatterall weighed in at 9st 13lbs, while Barboza was less than a pound lighter.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr undercard
17:32 , Jonathan GorrieJack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
Joe McGrail vs Ashley Lane
Catterall vs Barboza Jr: Boxing prediction tonight
17:23 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s difficult to look past Catterall, given his recent run of form. However, a cynical view may suggest that neither Taylor or Prograis had too much to give at this stage of their careers, albeit that does feel slightly harsh.
Catterall to win via decision.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr: TV channel and live stream
17:22 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The event will be broadcast on DAZN.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on the DAZN website or app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s fight blog!
Catterall vs Barboza Jr: Ring walks tonight
17:22 , Jonathan GorrieThe main card is expected to get underway at 7pm GMT, with the main event ring walks expected at around 10pm.
That, however, is subject to change depending on how the earlier fights on the card develop.
Welcome
16:48 , Jonathan GorrieGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Jack Catterall’s clash against Arnold Barboza Jr.
The card at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester begins at 7pm GMT, with the main event ring walks expected at 10pm GMT.
