DAZN Manchester Double Surprise! Barboza Upsets Cattrall, Dickens Upsets Barrett
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Manchester, UK (February 17th, 2025)– In the main event of a DAZN eight-bout card at Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Saturday, February 15, 2025, Arnold Barboza Jr. scored a split decision upset over Jack Catterall to win the vacant interim World Boxing Organization World Super Lightweight title. The moneyline bet was Jack Catterall -255, Arnold Barboza Jr. +200.
Barboza, 32-0 with 11 knockouts, Los Angeles, California, used power body shots and head shots and right-hand leads to build an early lead over Catterall, 30-2 with 13 knockouts, Chorley, United Kingdom, the counterpuncher, who used effective jabs. Barboza, at 5″9 and a 72-inch reach, outworked southpaw Catterall, a southpaw at 5’7″ and a 69-inch reach. Barboza had size, height, and reach advantage, which enabled him to pull out a close bout.
Barboza now positions himself for a higher-level stakes matchup against Teofimo Lopez, the WBO regular champion, later in 2025. Barboza won in enemy opposition UK territory on the road, no small feat for a visiting fighter, undefeated or not.
Barboza noted after the bout he was not in Manchester to fit anybody else’s expectations but his own, and he felt he met them and fairly deserved to win. “I honestly didn’t have it (the scoring of the bout) that close. I thought I [had fairly won] more rounds, but this (world title bout was in) is his backyard, man. Since I been little, I didn’t care about fitting in. I just wanted respect since I was a kid. I got my respect today. My father got his respect today,” said Barbosa in the post-fight interview.
Result: Arnold Barboza Jr. Wins in 12 rounds over Jack Catterall at Lightweight.
Barbosa wins the vacant interim WBO World Lightweight title.
Scoring: 115-113, 115-113 Barbosa. 115-113 Catterall.
Barbosa fell to the canvas in round 10 and was ruled a slip by referee Steve Gray.
WBO Supervisor: Jack Handelaar
Co-op Live Arena Manchester Undercard
Reece Bellotti Referee’s Technical Decision in 10 rounds over Michael Gomez Jr., at Super Featherweight.
Bellotti retains BBB of C and CBC regional super featherweight titles.
Gomez was down in the fifth and the eighth round. Bellotti was cut over the right eye in the sixth round.
The ribs of Gomez were black and blue from Bellotti’s body shots. Trainer Michael Jennings did not allow Gomez out for round 10. The moneyline was Reece Bellotti -140, Michael Gomez Jr. +137. Bellotti’s 21-5 record features 15 knockouts to Gomez’ 21-2 record only having two knockouts.
James Dickens Wins in 10 rounds over Zelfa Barrett at Super Featherweight.
Surprise! 35-5 Liverpool southpaw Dickens beats 31-3 Barrett 97-93, 97-93, 96-94 on cards. The moneyline was -710 to -900 for Zelfa Barrett, +500 for James Dickens.
Pat McCormack wins a referee’s Technical Decision in round over 6 Robbie Davies at Welterweight.
Pat McCormack is now 7-0 with five knockouts.
Conor Tudbury (Pro Debut) wins by TKO in round 2 over Da Silva Caetano, Light Heavyweights (2:01). Caetano was knocked down before stoppage by referee Darren Sarginson.
William Crolla wins by TKO in round 1 over Ayoub Zakari at Super Welterweight.(2:43)
The Manchester southpaw super welterweight prospect, William Crolla is now 7-0 with six knockouts.
Aqib Fiaz wins by TKO in round 3 over Lydon Chircop at Lightweight. (2:00)
Chircop was down in round two from a right to the body by Oldham’s 13-1, Fiaz.
Alfie Middlemiss Wins in 4 rounds over Caine Singh at Lightweights.
2-0 Manchester featherweight prospect opens the Arena card with Referee, Mark Lyson and wins with the score of 40-37.
English
No Comments Yet