Jack Catterall experienced a setback in his quest for a world title, falling to Arnold Barboza Jr. in a split decision during a highly anticipated match in Manchester. Catterall was aiming for a mandatory challenge for Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight title, but Barboza Jr. narrowly secured victory with scorecards reading 115-113 in his favor, earning the WBO interim belt and a forthcoming bout with Lopez.
The fight showcased both competitors’ strengths in a tightly contested clash. Barboza Jr. was relieved when referee Steve Gray classified his fall in the tenth round as a slip rather than a knockdown. Catterall could not overcome the slim margin on the scorecards, marking his second professional loss since a controversial decision against Josh Taylor in 2022.
In an impressive undercard bout, Reece Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles, achieving a 10th-round stoppage victory over Michael Gomez Jr.
Bellotti faced a delay in this matchup as Gomez Jr. had previously withdrawn due to health issues on the night of their originally scheduled fight. Nevertheless, Bellotti showcased his skill and resilience, delivering powerful body shots that led to Gomez Jr.’s corner halting the contest before the 10th round.
Stay tuned for upcoming boxing events, including the highly anticipated showdown between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, along with the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
