Although he is so close to a world title shot he can almost touch and smell it, Jack Catterall also knows that all his good work will count for nothing should he get carried away and overlook Saturday’s opponent, Arnold Barboza.
He fights Barboza in Manchester and can be near-enough certain that a win over the unbeaten American will land him a title shot, most likely against Teofimo Lopez, the WBO champion at 140 pounds. Yet often, of course, it is the final hurdle that proves the hardest one for a contender to leap.
“I know I’m in a great division with a lot of tremendous fighters,” said Catterall, 30-1 (13), at this afternoon’s press conference in Manchester. “But nothing matters until after Saturday night. I’ve got to be 100 per cent focused on Arnold.
“But, that being said, we understand the business and if you look past Saturday there are so many great fights to be made. Lopez has got the WBO; hopefully that is a fight that can be made down the line. But I’ve got to beat him (Barboza) and beat him good on Saturday.”
Catterall, a 31-year-old from Manchester, has been on a good run of form of late, beating the following in succession: Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, and Regis Prograis. To beat Barboza, however, will top the lot given everything that is at stake.
“I think from both sides we’re taking confidence from the preparation we’ve had,” he said. “I don’t want any easy fights and Arnold has been in the position I’m in, waiting for that opportunity. I don’t believe you can sit back now, the way boxing is, and spend time on the sidelines. You’ve got to take your chance. I’m on a good run now, I’ve got good momentum, and I feel better every camp; this camp has been great. That’s where the confidence comes in. I do believe I’m a better fighter and I believe I get him out of there Saturday.”
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