Arnold Barboza continues to attend for his alternative to struggle for a world title belt. The junior welterweight contender doesn’t thoughts doing so.
Barboza does maintain out hope a shot on the world title will ultimately come, prior to later. Within the meantime, he doesn’t thoughts dealing with worthy challengers.
The unbeaten Barboza will face Jose Pedraza, a former world titleholder in two weight divisions, tonight on the Desert Diamond Area in Glendale, Arizona. The ten-round bout will precede the principle occasion bout between Emanuel Navarrete and Liam Wilson for the vacant WBO world junior light-weight title belt.
Each fights will air dwell on ESPN (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
Barboza (27-0, 10 knockouts), who resides in Los Angeles, California, final fought on July 15, defeating Danielito Zorrilla by unanimous choice. The win over Zorrilla came about virtually a yr after Barboza defeated fringe contender Antonio Moran.
The 31-year-old will now face a stiff check tonight in Pedraza, who’s coming off a split-decision draw in opposition to Richard Commey, who additionally held a world light-weight title, on August 22 and an in depth choice loss to Jose Ramiez on March 4.
Regardless of Pedraza having gained three of his final six fights, Barboza isn’t overlooking him.
“He’s a really skilled fighter,” Barboza advised BoxingScene earlier this week. “I completed watching him struggle Richard Commey. He tends to struggle lefty, then from the appropriate. He’s a artful fighter. Camp was nice although. We labored laborious up there (in Large Bear, California). I’m able to show I’m on the prime of my recreation.”
Barboza sparred a number of occasions with prime prospect Abduallah Mason in preparation for his struggle in opposition to Pedraza.
He has been pissed off during the last a number of months not with the ability to land a struggle in opposition to a boxer within the higher echelon of the division. There was speak of Barboza preventing Teofimo Lopez in Lopez’s first struggle at 140 kilos after campaigning as a light-weight. Sources have advised Boxingscene Lopez reportedly turned down fights in opposition to Barboza on a number of events.
Barboza strikes ahead, believing a struggle in opposition to Lopez, Ramirez, or one other prime junior welterweight might be made.
“It’s irritating,” stated Barboza, who has fought below the Prime Rank banner since December 2014. “I really feel like we’ve proved we belong on the prime (of the division). There’s nothing we are able to do different than simply transfer ahead. We’re targeted on Pedraza. It’s a tricky struggle for us.”
At the same time as Barboza is a seasoned professional and is aware of his approach across the ring, he nonetheless believes he has not hit his ceiling.
“I really feel like I haven’t hit my peak.” stated Barboza. “I’m nonetheless enhancing within the fitness center. I confirmed I might brawl in opposition to (Alex) Saucedo and that I can field within the Zorrilla struggle. I attempt to get higher within the fitness center. I by no means cease studying.”
Previous to signing with Prime Rank, Barboza had a quick stint with promoter Gary Shaw. Earlier than dedicating himself full-time to boxing, Barboza labored for a distribution firm, transporting wine to completely different companies all through Southern California.
Barboza at all times felt a objective in direction of boxing, taking a threat by quitting his job. Regardless of difficulties he could have encountered, Barboza doesn’t have any regrets within the decisions he has made, out and in of boxing.
“It was a lonely time again then. I used to work the night time shift. It was just the start of the journey. I used to be advised to not give up my job as a result of I wouldn’t make it in boxing. I took the prospect in boxing. I’ve gotten nice pleasure from the game, particularly during the last a number of months.”
In hopes of securing a world title struggle or a conflict in opposition to a prime contender later this yr, Barboza believes he has confirmed he is without doubt one of the finest fighters at 140 kilos.
“For sure, I consider I’m one of the best fighter within the division. I’m checked out as a high-risk, low-reward sort of fighter to others within the division. I convey versatility and I can modify in fights. If Plan A doesn’t work, I’ve Plan B and C. I can field and brawl. One factor that will get missed is that I do every part proper within the ring.”
Barboza credit his father together with his success within the ring. Barboza has advised Boxingscene on earlier events that the robust bond between and his father, Arnold, Sr. is easy: Within the fitness center, Arnold, Sr. is his coach. Outdoors the fitness center, he’s his father.
With most father-son relationships might flip tumultuous, Barboza is glad his relationship together with his father strengthened over time.
“It’s nice. Not a variety of relationships, that I’ve seen, get to have that robust bond between fathers and sons. Plenty of occasions you hear tales of disrespect within the fitness center between the 2. They create household issues to the fitness center.
“Boxing has introduced my Dad and I nearer. He’ll at all times be there for me and handle me. That’s an enormous benefit for us. That’s a robust bond now we have.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing