11/26/2024
Junior welterweight contender Jack Catterall has confirmed that negotiations are underway for a WBO-mandated final elimination bout against undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. The bout, officially ordered today by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), will determine the mandatory challenger for the WBO Junior Welterweight Championship, currently held by Teofimo Lopez.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs), represented by Matchroom CEO Frank Smith, expressed optimism about the matchup and challenged Barboza to step up. “Let’s see if you accept,” Catterall stated, referring to the negotiations. Barboza (31-0, 11 KOs) is represented by Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced the official mandate earlier today:
“Please be advised the WBO World Championship Committee has ordered negotiations for the Barboza/Catterall Elimination Bout to determine the mandatory challenger in the WBO 140 lbs division. Teams have 20 days to reach terms or [the bout will go to] purse bids.”
Photo Credit: Cris Esquivel/Golden Globe Promotions
The 31-year-old Barboza is riding high after the biggest win of his career—a unanimous decision victory over former unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez. However, the victory wasn’t without controversy. Ahead of the fight, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that Barboza refused to pay the WBO’s sanctioning fee, effectively downgrading the contest from a twelve-round title eliminator to a ten-round non-eliminator.
The WBO denied having sanctioned the fight as a title eliminator, but Barboza’s team appeared to smooth relations with the organization following his win over Ramirez.
Catterall, also 31, recently scored a unanimous decision victory over former junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis.
The two camps now have 20 days to negotiate terms for the fight. If they fail to reach an agreement, the WBO will initiate a purse bid process to finalize the bout.
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