JACK CATTERALL ended up on the LOSING side of a razor-thin decision against Arnold Barboza Jr.
El Gato was in a huge final eliminator for a shot at Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight title.
In a fight that could have gone either way, Catterall ended up on the wrong side of a 115-113, 113-115, 115-113 decision to Barboza Jr.
The American moves to 32-0 and Catterall will now need to get back into the gym to rebuild his career.
- Card start time: From 7pm GMT
- Main event start time: 10pm (approx)
- TV/Stream: DAZN
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Bellew: ‘That was a knockdown’
Well, well, well – there weren’t any complaints from Jack Catterall during the fight or after, but Tony Bellew thinks he has a legitimate one.
Barboza went down but the ref immediately called it as an accidental trip.
Bellew thinks it should have counted – and that 10-8 round could have had a big impact.
On Catterall’s slow showing, Bellew said: “I just think that’s his style, he’s very good at what he does.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t press more, because he does have the power.
“If he didn’t have the power I’d understand it.”
Bellew then added: “That was a knockdown.
He landed a body shot and Barboza went over.
“It was a balance thing but he didn’t stand on his foot.”
Bellew: ‘Neither can complain’
The former world champ told Dazn: “I thought it was really close – neither can complain
“I thought Jack was honest in the ring when he thought he’d nicked it, same with Barboza.
“It comes down to what do you like.
“Barboza was very good, he’d done his homework on Jack.
“He knew not to press too much and work going backwards.
“Catterall is very good but he needs to work on his offence.”
What next for El Gato
Well, that wasn’t certainly in the script for Catterall.
He had been on an incredible run of form and looked destined for a world title shot next.
But he will not have to go back to the drawing board as he plots another route to the very top of the sport.
El Gato is not 32 until July so still has time on his side, but he will certainly be left picking up the pieces of this defeat.
Eddie Hearn
“Very close fight, 7-5 either way.
“It could’ve gone either way, it was that kind of fight.
“We were screaming at him towards the end, he’s just got to do a bit more to win the rounds.
“Well done to Arnold, Jack will be back.
“Could have gone either way, but not Jack’s way tonight.”
Catterall’s verdict
“Tricky fight, close fight. All credit to him.
“I felt like I did enough to win.
“But I’m straight back to the ring.
“Straight back to it.”
More from Barboza
“Anybody can get it any day of the week – any day that ends in the letter ‘y’.
“This guy here is going to work his a** off.
“I want to thank Manchester.”
Barboza Jr speaks
The American starts by thanking God and his promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, as well as his team.
He then says: “I didn’t have it that close, I felt I won more rounds.
“But it’s his backyard.
“All I’ve wanted since I was a kid is to get respect – I got that today.”
Shock for El Gato
The scoring was as close as it comes and that is exactly how the fight went.
Catterall had a slow start and that appeared to cost him in the end.
Official scorecards – Barboza wins!
WOW! It’s a huge decision in Manchester with Arnold Barboza Jr taking a split decision!
The judges had it 115-115, 115-113, 113-115!
He’s on his knees in the ring and Catterall looks shellshocked!
This will go to the judges
That was an impossible one to score – the six boxing experts on Dazn all have it going a different way.
Liam Smith and Dalton Smith both have a draw, Darren Barker gives it to Barboza.
This will come down to what the judges prefer in styles and if Catterall gave away too many rounds at the start with his patient opening.
Scorecards coming any second now…
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R12
Final round and winner takes all!
Both men are going for broke, the tempo, the output and desperation has been upped by both here.
Cheers from the crowd with every success Jack has!
Barboza’s chasing Catterall around the ring now!
Last 15 seconds and both men exchange in centre ring.
DING DING! Who will it be then? This could go either way as both men raise their hands in conviction.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R11
Barboza comes out fast and aggressive to shake any embarrassment from his fall from the round before.
Barboza makes complaints to the ref but he’s having none of it.
Catterall goes in but misses a huge opportunity to strike while Barboza was not defending himself.
Tough one to call as both men are boxing so well.
Into the final round we go!
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R10
Jack Catterall timing and picking his moments with a jab here and a jab there, still looking sharp and winning most of the exchanges here in the 10th.
Barboza taking his chances in the final 30 seconds of the round to make an impression – which only ends in Barboza hitting the canvas.
A count starts but the referee quickly waves it off as an accidental trip, which could prove HUGE in the outcome of this fight.
Looks like a clean one-two to me, regardless of the entanglement.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R9
Ringside has it Catterall up, let’s hope they’re right.
Catterall lands a beautiful straight left hand down the middle, his best punch of the night I’d say.
Much better round from Catterall although still competitive stuff from Barboza none the less.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R8
Both men circling centre ring and using back and forth movements to counter each other.
Barboza gets put on the back foot but springs back with punches of his own every time.
I’d say he is doing ever so slightly better than our Jack tonight.
Catterall seems to making small mistakes, could he be getting a bit desperate knowing the fight is getting into the later rounds?
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R7
Catterall has early success but Barboza dominates the middle of the round with singular power shots.
Controversy as Catterall throws a punch he wasn’t meant to after instructed to break.
It looks low and Catterall then follows up with two shots that reach their target while Barboza was complaining to the ref.
Another close round that could have gone either way on the scorecards.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R6
Jack’s slightly creeping forwards on Barboza as he wearily keeps his distance, both fighters are finding success as the circle in the middle of the ring.
Jack Catterall delivers a one-two and a counter right hook which raises the morale of those in the Co-op Live.
A swing and a miss by Barboza as we enter the final 10 seconds, both men swing out with hooks with Barboza landing the cleaner punch before the bell rings.
Liam Smith and Dalton Smith have it 5-1 but I have it three rounds each.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R5
Highly competitive start to round five as Catterall comes out trying to assert dominance – but Barboza meets him with equal aggression.
Their feet then tangle as Barboza chases Catterall around the ring.
Barboza seems to be having the slight upper hand, in this high level, fast paced chess match.
Jack finds more success towards the end of the round but was it enough to win it?
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R4
A Pacquiao-like move from Catterall at the beginning of round four, stepping in on the inside foot to deliver a pivoting one-two straight jab.
Barboza appears to have upped the pressure and tempo a little bit, with Catterall seemingly having trouble with Barboza’s reach now that American is establishing his distance.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R3
Both men still cautious here in round three, aware of each others’ skill sets.
When one gains success so does the other.
Barboza being the slightly more come forward fighter leading Catterall into a corner but after a few defences he laterally escapes.
Barboza Jr lands a left hand at the end of the round.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R2
Barboza keeping his distance this time after tasting Catterall’s cat-like reflexes trying to score points with his reach advantage.
Catterall not taking any chances early on but choosing his moments wisely to come forwards and attack.
Although Barboza is touching on Catteralls Philly shell defence… could this be a ploy to look busier and gain points?
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – R1
What a stare down as the meet in the ring for the instructions. Lets get it on!
Opening to the round starts with Barboza throwing a jab and Catterall slipping and counter uppercutting!
Both men focusing on establishing foot positioning and the lead hand. One-two, jab straight by Jack Catterall.
Catterall looks poised and disciplined as always in this feel out round.
Stand by Jack
That’s the way to get a venue behind you – Ben E King anthem ‘Stand By Me’ rings out and the thousands in attendance are singing it at the top of their lungs!
Catterall is almost in the ring now, we’re just minutes away.
He then goes for the Lion King – ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ – this is incredible from El Gato.
He’s beaten three former world champions in a row and another win here would finally earn him a richly deserved title shot.
Ring walk time
Arnold Barboza Jr is making his way to the ring now, the sound and the tension is ramping up inside the venue!
Sweet Caroline
We couldn’t be any closer – Sweet Caroline is playing in the Co-Op Arena in Manchester.
We’re very close to the action getting underway – this should be a special fight.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
