Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Welcome everybody to Manchester ahead of what is a brilliant night of boxing next Saturday, the 15th of February, at the Co-op Live in Manchester – live and exclusive around the world on DAZN. For me, one of the best match-ups at 140 lbs.
“The man that should be undisputed – Jack Catterall. No question, one of Britain’s pound-for-pound top fighters right now. Coming off four huge headline events and victories. Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis to name a few, and now into potentially the most important fight of his career for this – the WBO interim World Championship.
“Against the man to my left, 31-0, Arnold Barboza Jr. It’s the number one and number two in the world rankings. The man that could be king after this fight. We wanted to do something a little bit different for you tonight.
“Next week will be electric, not just with this fight but an unbelievable undercard in Manchester. The bad blood fight between Reece Bellotti and Michael Gomez Jr for the British and Commonwealth Championships. The step-up for Pat McCormack against Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr. Zelfa Barrett from Manchester will fight Jazza Dickens, and so much more.
“This is the fight that they are talking about as potentially one of the best in the division. Not just a great run of form for Jack Catterall, but this man (Barboza Jr) coming off victory in Saudi Arabia against Jose Ramirez. He believes he has the tools to beat Jack Catterall – one of the most in-form fighters at 140 lbs.”
Jack Catterall:
“Of course I respect his ability. Again, he’s said it before, he’s been working hard to get to this position. I’ll stand on what I said – I don’t think he’s a great fighter. I think he’s average, a B class fighter. I can only think of two opponents that he’s boxed. Sean McComb, who beat him, and Ramirez – who I didn’t think was in the best form that night. None the less, give him his credit, he turned up and did what he had to do. It’s a whole different ball game next weekend.
“We’ve watched tape of him and we’ve been studying. We’ve been working hard in the gym and every fight now I feel like we’ve been getting better, with the activity of these big headline fights. I’ll see what happens on fight night. Until the first bell goes, and I see his response, this is a big opportunity, not just for me but for both of us. I’m not leaving it to the judges next Saturday. I believe I stop him, 100%.
“You’ve never seen 12 rounds and you’re not going to see the 12 round distance next Saturday. I think he knows what he’s up against. Listen, we don’t get to this stage in these big fights by overlooking the opponents. I think he’s in for a shock next Saturday. I’m in good form. We got straight back in the gym after the Prograis fight and we’ve been grafting. Things have gone great this camp and I’m going to show it next Saturday. I respect what you’ve done in your journey to get here but it all ends next Saturday.”
Arnold Barboza Jr:
“I’ve been calling for this fight since 2022 when I met him at the Ramirez and Taylor fight. That’s where we met. This is a great opportunity. All of his home support booing me is going to turn me on. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about. This is a fight that I’ve been waiting for my whole career. I worked hard to get here – just like him. Let’s get it on.
“I feel like my whole career I’ve been the underdog. Even when I’m the favourite, I feel like I’ve been overlooked my whole career. People are finally starting to see who Barboza really is. Come February 15th my hand will be raised and that belt will be coming home with me.
“I’m an overall better fighter than him. He calls me a B level fighter but the only thing special about him is that he’s hefty. That’s it. We’ll find out. We can talk and do all that but February 15th is when we will find out. It’s around the corner.
“He can say Ramirez is past his best and I can say the same thing about the last three victories he just had. Linares retired after their fight, Regis was going to retire after their fight. Josh Taylor had a messed up knee. He can say all he wants, I don’t think he’s ever faced anyone like me. He’s going to find out February 15th.
“He doesn’t win this fight inside the distance. He doesn’t win this fight; it’s that simple. If there’s going to be a stoppage it’s going to be me stopping him. We’re going to see. I’m overall better than him at everything. The only thing that makes you different is you’re a lefty, that’s it, you’re average bro. My condition is top notch. You’ll see.
“People don’t know what they’re going to get when it comes to me because I can do it all. He’s going to find out. I can stay, I can brawl and I can box. You’re going to see what a hype job you are, you’re average bro. I’m going to make you look average.”
Catterall vs. Barboza Jr tops a huge night of boxing in Manchester, Watford’s ReeceBellotti (19-5, 14 KOs) defends his British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Titles against Manchester’s Michael GomezJr (21-1, 6 KOs) in a highly-anticipated grudge match, PatMcCormack (6-0, 4 KOs) steps up as he defends his WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Title against Liverpool’s former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Robbie Davies Jr (24-5, 15 KOs), it’s a Manchester vs. Liverpool showdown as former World Title challengers Zelfa Barrett (31-2, 17 KOs) and Jazza Dickens (34-5, 14 KOs) clash for the WBA International Super-Featherweight Title, Manchester Light-Heavyweight Conner Tudsbury makes his professional debut against Belgium’s Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano, Oldham’s Aqib Fiaz (12-1, 1 KO) returns at Lightweight against Malta’s Lydon Chircop (7-2, 4 KOs) over six rounds, Manchester Super-Welterweight powerhouse William Crolla (6-0, 5 KOs) faces Spain’s Ayoub Zakari (5-7-1) over six rounds and Manchester Featherweight AlfieMiddlemiss (1-0) kicks off the Before The Bell action in a four round fight with Middlesborough’s Caine Singh (1-5-2).
