Arnold Barboza and Jack Catterall could be on course to fight in February.
The WBO championship committee has ordered respective parties to commence negotiations for a fight to determine the mandatory challenger at 140lbs, to champion Teofimo Lopez, and teams – in this case Golden Boy for Barboza and Matchroom for Catterall – have 20 days to agree terms or the WBO will take it to purse bids.
Barboza, ranked No. 1 by the WBO, and Catterall, rated No. 2, have traded barbs on social media.
Barboza won a tepid 10-round fight with Jose Ramirez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, more than a week ago, and the Californian is 31-0 (11 KOs), while southpaw Catterall, from Chorley in the UK, is 30-1 (13 KOs), and is coming off a career best 2024 that has included victories over Josh Taylor in May and Regis Prograis in October.
Barboza told Catterall on X: “I know you want top 10 only as well. We can get it on. Tell Eddie to call Oscar.”
Catterall replied: “I know Frank Smith is talking to Eric Gomez. Let’s see if you accept.”
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