A Fierce Battle: Catterall’s Narrow Loss to Barboza
On a thrilling Saturday night at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, the boxing world witnessed a highly contested battle for the vacant WBO Interim 140-lb belt. WBO International light welterweight champion Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall, known for his strategic prowess and sharp skills, faced off against the undefeated WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight champion Arnold Barboza, Jr. The fight was a nail-biter from the start, with Catterall having a slight edge in the first four rounds. Barboza, known for his relentless aggression, began to make his presence felt from the sixth round onwards, coming back strongly and putting Catterall on the back foot. The fight remained closely contested, with both fighters displaying moments of brilliance. In the ninth round, they traded blows, each scoring significant points. The tenth round saw a dramatic moment when referee Steve Gray intervened after the fighters fell tangled, but the fight continued. Catterall seemed to edge out in the eleventh, but the twelfth and final round was a back-and-forth affair. Despite both fighters celebrating at the end, the split decision in favor of Barboza (115-113, 115-113, 115-113) left the crowd divided and the outcome a topic of intense debate.
McCormack’s Dominance Over Davies
In another standout performance, 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist and WBA International Continental welterweight champion Pat McCormack dominated former British, Commonwealth, and European champ Robbie Davies, Jr. The fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, was called off after just five rounds due to McCormack’s overwhelming performance. In the third round, McCormack landed a lead right that sent Davies down for an 8-count. The final seconds of the round saw another right from McCormack, knocking Davies down for a second 8-count. In the fifth round, McCormack delivered a decisive right to Davies’ chin, causing him to go down for the third time. The referee, Marcus McDonnell, immediately stopped the fight, recognizing Davies’ inability to continue. McCormack’s victory showcased his exceptional skill and potential as a rising star in the welterweight division.
Barrett’s Tough Loss to Dickens
WBA International super featherweight champion Zelfa ‘Brown Flash’ Barrett faced a tough challenge against former IBO and British featherweight champ James ‘Jazza’ Dickens. The fight, a 10-round unanimous decision in Dickens’ favor, highlighted the resilience and technique of both fighters. In the opening rounds, Dickens chased Barrett, who countered with rights, causing visible redness in Dickens’ left eye. The fourth and fifth rounds saw Dickens maintain his aggressive approach, landing a right hook to the chin that caught Barrett’s attention. By the seventh round, Dickens had his best moment, countering Barrett effectively as the latter stopped moving around the ring. The eighth and ninth rounds saw Dickens continue to score well, and in the final round, Barrett’s attempts to land were largely unsuccessful as Dickens countered him effectively. The scores (97-93, 97-93, 96-94) reflected Dickens’ dominant performance.
Bellotti’s Impressive Victory Over Gomez
Reece ‘Bomber’ Bellotti, the BBBofC British and Commonwealth Boxing Council Super featherweight champ, delivered a powerful performance against Michael Gomez, Jr. The fight, a scheduled 12 rounds, was halted in the tenth round after a series of devastating blows from Bellotti. In the first four rounds, Bellotti worked effectively on Gomez’s body, taking all four rounds. A left uppercut to the body in the fifth round sent Gomez down for an 8-count. The sixth round saw Bellotti suffer a cut on his right eyebrow from a clash of heads, but he continued to dominate. In the eighth round, another left to the body from Bellotti dropped Gomez for a second 8-count, and he also suffered a cut on his right eyebrow. The fight was called off in the tenth round when Gomez’s corner decided to stop it, recognizing the futility of continuing against Bellotti’s relentless assault.
Tudsbery and Fiaz: Promising Young Talents
Light heavyweight Connor Tudsbery, making his debut, delivered a convincing knockout against Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano. The fight, scheduled for six rounds, ended in the second round when Caetano was down for the count. Referee Darren Sarginson stopped the contest, solidifying Tudsbery’s potential in the light heavyweight division. In another impressive performance, Aqib Fiaz, known for his sharp skills, knocked out Lydon Chircop in the third round of a scheduled six rounds. A right to the body from Fiaz in the second round dropped Chircop, and the contest was halted by Referee Darren Sarginson, highlighting Fiaz’s talent and aggression.
Rising Stars and Future Contenders
The undercard also featured several rising stars who showcased their potential. Super welterweight William Crolla, undefeated at 7-0, stopped Ayoub Zakari in the first round of a scheduled six rounds. Featherweight Alfie Middlemiss, making his second professional appearance, defeated Caine Singh over four rounds. The night was a testament to the depth and talent in the British boxing scene, with these young fighters demonstrating the promise of a bright future. The ring announcer, David Diamente, set the stage for a night of electrifying action, leaving the audience eager for more.
