Ahead of their February 15 fight in Manchester next week, Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza faced off tonight at a gathering hosted by Matchroom and Eddie Hearn.

The junior welterweight contenders will fight at the Co-op Live Arena and Barboza, 31-0 (11 KOs), said he felt like he was the underdog and he had been overlooked his whole career. “I’m overall a better fighter than him,” said Barboza. “He called me a B fighter but I think the only thing special about him is that he’s a lefty. But we’ll find out February 15.” 

The fighters shared several feisty exchanges on stage, and Catterall, 30-1 (13 KOs), said: “I respect his ability, but I don’t think he’s a great fighter, I think he’s average, I think he’s a B-class fighter, I can only think of two opponents that he’s boxed, Sean McComb, who beat him [lost a controversial decision], and [Jose] Ramirez, who I didn’t think was on the best form that night.” 

“You’re average, bro,” Barboza fired back.

“You haven’t been 12 rounds, and you aren’t going to see 12 rounds,” Catterall countered.
Barboza replied: “My condition is top notch. It’s top of the line. You’ll see. I can brawl, I can box, I can do it all. Overall I’m a better fighter. People don’t know what they’re going to get when it comes to me, because I can do it all. He’s gonna find out…. I wouldn’t fly out here if I didn’t believe in it. People say you’re a boring fighter but this is going to be exciting.”

“I’m gonna knock him out next Saturday,” said Catterall.

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