Tag: Arnold Barboza Jr.

Arnold Barboza Jr. looking forward to a break-through 2024

Junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. expects to get the big fights that have eluded him this year.

Arnold Barboza Jr. got the result he expected on Jan. 6, an eighth-round knockout of Xolisani Ndongeni. Now it’s on to more significant challenges.

The 140-pound contender’s victory over Ndongeni was his debut for Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, which streamed the fight. He couldn’t have been more pleased afterward, although he felt the effects of an 11-month layoff.

“I think it was as close to a perfect week as you can have,” he told Boxing Junkie. “All the media attention I got. … I was rusty a little but I was happy with my performance. Now I want to stay active and be that much better. I’m excited.

“… I didn’t have to use my skills; I just walked him down. I’m excited to show Golden Boy another side of me, my boxing ability, athleticism.”

Barboza, 32, made the move from Top Rank to Golden Boy in hopes it would lead to the big fights that have eluded him.

And the one he wants most is a title shot against WBO titleholder and two-division champion Teofimo Lopez. Barboza, who has yet to fight for a major belt, is the sanctioning body’s top contender.

“That’s my goal,” he said. “I’m No. 1 in the WBO. I want to stay that route because that’s my best chance to get a title shot. I’m moving up in the WBC rankings (he’s No. 6), too. So that’s also a possibility. Who knows what [WBC titleholder Devin] Haney will do. Lopez could move up. Who knows?

“Anything can happen. I’m just going to go back to the gym, keep my weight down and be ready when something happens.”

Two other potential opponents also fight for Golden Boy, Ryan Garcia and Jose Ramirez, although neither holds a title.

Garcia is an attractive opponent for anyone because of his drawing power. And a victory over Ramirez, a former beltholder, would be a significant step in Barboza’s career.

“I’ve been trying to get that fight for a year,” said Barboza, referring to Ramirez. “I’ve been hearing his name since he beat [Mike] Reed [in 2017], the fight that got him his first title shot. And now he’s signed with Golden Boy.

“We have so much respect for each other. … We’ll see what happens.”

Barboza, 32, believes he’ll get one big fight or another soon. He just has to continue to win and look good doing so.

“I’ll get those big fights,” he said. “As long as I stay active, as long as I fight and win and have no injuries or setbacks. We want [the Lopez] fight next if I can get it. If I don’t, it’s OK. There are a lot of big fights out there.

“… I think 2024 is going to be a great year for me.”

Arnold Barboza Jr. looking forward to a break-through 2024

Junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. expects to get the big fights that have eluded him this year.

Arnold Barboza Jr. got the result he expected on Jan. 6, an eighth-round knockout of Xolisani Ndongeni. Now it’s on to more significant challenges.

The 140-pound contender’s victory over Ndongeni was his debut for Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, which streamed the fight. He couldn’t have been more pleased afterward, although he felt the effects of an 11-month layoff.

“I think it was as close to a perfect week as you can have,” he told Boxing Junkie. “All the media attention I got. … I was rusty a little but I was happy with my performance. Now I want to stay active and be that much better. I’m excited.

“… I didn’t have to use my skills; I just walked him down. I’m excited to show Golden Boy another side of me, my boxing ability, athleticism.”

Barboza, 32, made the move from Top Rank to Golden Boy in hopes it would lead to the big fights that have eluded him.

And the one he wants most is a title shot against WBO titleholder and two-division champion Teofimo Lopez. Barboza, who has yet to fight for a major belt, is the sanctioning body’s top contender.

“That’s my goal,” he said. “I’m No. 1 in the WBO. I want to stay that route because that’s my best chance to get a title shot. I’m moving up in the WBC rankings (he’s No. 6), too. So that’s also a possibility. Who knows what [WBC titleholder Devin] Haney will do. Lopez could move up. Who knows?

“Anything can happen. I’m just going to go back to the gym, keep my weight down and be ready when something happens.”

Two other potential opponents also fight for Golden Boy, Ryan Garcia and Jose Ramirez, although neither holds a title.

Garcia is an attractive opponent for anyone because of his drawing power. And a victory over Ramirez, a former beltholder, would be a significant step in Barboza’s career.

“I’ve been trying to get that fight for a year,” said Barboza, referring to Ramirez. “I’ve been hearing his name since he beat [Mike] Reed [in 2017], the fight that got him his first title shot. And now he’s signed with Golden Boy.

“We have so much respect for each other. … We’ll see what happens.”

Barboza, 32, believes he’ll get one big fight or another soon. He just has to continue to win and look good doing so.

“I’ll get those big fights,” he said. “As long as I stay active, as long as I fight and win and have no injuries or setbacks. We want [the Lopez] fight next if I can get it. If I don’t, it’s OK. There are a lot of big fights out there.

“… I think 2024 is going to be a great year for me.”

Arnold Barboza Jr. easily outpoints Danielito Zorrilla

Junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. easily outpointed Danielito Zorrilla on Saturday in Temecula, California.

Arnold Barboza Jr. continued his climb toward a title shot at 140 pounds.

The 30-year-old from Los Angeles outboxed and outworked previously unbeaten Danielito Zorrilla to win a wide decision in a 10-round bout Saturday in Temecula, California.

The official scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93 in favor of Barboza.

The CompuBox statistics told the story. Barboza (27-0, 10 KOs) landed 171 of 600 (29%) total punches compared to 66 of 352 (19%) for Zorrilla, who is from Puerto Rico.

Zorrilla (16-1, 12 KOs) was a tricky counterpuncher at times; he landed some eye-catching rights. However, he wasn’t busy enough to be competitive.

The last round was action packed, as Barboza decided not to sit on his lead. Zorrilla hurt him with a right hand about a minute into round, which led to some toe-to-toe exchanges, but Zorrilla didn’t have the wherewithal pull off a miracle.

If there was a flaw in Barboza’s performance, it was that he couldn’t take out a fighter he dominated. However, he’ll take a convincing victory over a good opponent.

Barboza was ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies going into the fight, No. 8 by the WBO and No. 11 by the WBC. He mostly likely will inch higher after Saturday’s fight.

In preliminary fights, lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla (15-0, 12 KOs) defeated Jair Valtierra (16-2, 8 KOs0 by a unanimous decision in an eight-round bout.

And 2020 Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez (2-0, 2 KOs) stopped Roberto Zavala Jr. (2-2-1, 2 KOs) 58 seconds into their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Arnold Barboza Jr. easily outpoints Danielito Zorrilla

Junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza Jr. easily outpointed Danielito Zorrilla on Saturday in Temecula, California.

Arnold Barboza Jr. continued his climb toward a title shot at 140 pounds.

The 30-year-old from Los Angeles outboxed and outworked previously unbeaten Danielito Zorrilla to win a wide decision in a 10-round bout Saturday in Temecula, California.

The official scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93 in favor of Barboza.

The CompuBox statistics told the story. Barboza (27-0, 10 KOs) landed 171 of 600 (29%) total punches compared to 66 of 352 (19%) for Zorrilla, who is from Puerto Rico.

Zorrilla (16-1, 12 KOs) was a tricky counterpuncher at times; he landed some eye-catching rights. However, he wasn’t busy enough to be competitive.

The last round was action packed, as Barboza decided not to sit on his lead. Zorrilla hurt him with a right hand about a minute into round, which led to some toe-to-toe exchanges, but Zorrilla didn’t have the wherewithal pull off a miracle.

If there was a flaw in Barboza’s performance, it was that he couldn’t take out a fighter he dominated. However, he’ll take a convincing victory over a good opponent.

Barboza was ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies going into the fight, No. 8 by the WBO and No. 11 by the WBC. He mostly likely will inch higher after Saturday’s fight.

In preliminary fights, lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla (15-0, 12 KOs) defeated Jair Valtierra (16-2, 8 KOs0 by a unanimous decision in an eight-round bout.

And 2020 Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez (2-0, 2 KOs) stopped Roberto Zavala Jr. (2-2-1, 2 KOs) 58 seconds into their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Danielito Zorrilla: date, time, how to watch, background

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Danielito Zorrilla: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

Arnold Barboza Jr. and Danielito Zorrilla will meet in a battle of unbeaten 140-pound contenders in Temecula, California.

ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. (26-0, 10 KOS) VS. DANIELITO ZORRILLA (16-0, 12 KOS)

  • Date: Friday, July 15
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • Weigh-in results: Barboza 139.6, Zorrilla 139.6
  • Rounds: 10
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Jair Valtierra, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Roberto Zavala Jr., heavyweights
  • Prediction: Barboza UD
  • Background: Barboza, ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, has set his sights on the biggest names in the lightweight division but has yet to get his big fight. In the meantime, he’ll face the relatively unknown, but capable Zorrilla. Barboza is a good, experienced boxer with limited punching power. The 30-year-old from the Los Angeles area has been beating solid opponents for four or five years, including a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Moran last August. He said he hasn’t fought since then because he was holding out for a big fight but has to settle for Zorrilla for now. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican is no pushover. He too is a proficient boxer – the result of a successful amateur career – and he can punch, as he demonstrated by stopping veteran Pablo Cesar Cano in two rounds last September. Zorrilla hasn’t fought since that fight.

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Danielito Zorrilla: date, time, how to watch, background

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Danielito Zorrilla: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

Arnold Barboza Jr. and Danielito Zorrilla will meet in a battle of unbeaten 140-pound contenders in Temecula, California.

ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. (26-0, 10 KOS) VS. DANIELITO ZORRILLA (16-0, 12 KOS)

  • Date: Friday, July 15
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • Weigh-in results: Barboza 139.6, Zorrilla 139.6
  • Rounds: 10
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Jair Valtierra, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Roberto Zavala Jr., heavyweights
  • Prediction: Barboza UD
  • Background: Barboza, ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, has set his sights on the biggest names in the lightweight division but has yet to get his big fight. In the meantime, he’ll face the relatively unknown, but capable Zorrilla. Barboza is a good, experienced boxer with limited punching power. The 30-year-old from the Los Angeles area has been beating solid opponents for four or five years, including a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Moran last August. He said he hasn’t fought since then because he was holding out for a big fight but has to settle for Zorrilla for now. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican is no pushover. He too is a proficient boxer – the result of a successful amateur career – and he can punch, as he demonstrated by stopping veteran Pablo Cesar Cano in two rounds last September. Zorrilla hasn’t fought since that fight.

Fight Week: Ryan Garcia gets back to work against Javier Fortuna

Fight Week: Ryan Garcia will get back to work against Javier Fortuna on Saturday in Los Angeles.

FIGHT WEEK

KO artist and social media star Ryan Garcia returns to the ring against veteran Javier Fortuna on Saturday in Los Angeles.

ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. (26-0, 10 KOS) VS. DANIELITO ZORRILLA (16-0, 12 KOS)

  • When: Friday, July 15
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • Rounds: 10
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Jair Valtierra, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Roberto Zavala Jr., heavyweights
  • Prediction: Barboza UD
  • Background: Barboza, ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, has set his sights on the biggest names in the lightweight division but has yet to get his big fight. In the meantime, he’ll face the relatively unknown, but capable Zorrilla. Barboza is a good, experienced boxer with limited punching power. The 30-year-old from the Los Angeles area has been beating solid opponents for four or five years, including a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Moran last August. He said he hasn’t fought since then because he was holding out for a big fight but has to settle for Zorrilla for now. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican is no pushover. He too is a proficient boxer – the result of a successful amateur career – and he can punch, as he demonstrated by stopping veteran Pablo Cesar Cano in two rounds last September. Zorrilla hasn’t fought since that fight.

 

RYAN GARCIA (22-0, 18 KOS) VS. JAVIER FORTUNA (37-3-1, 26 KOS)

  • When: Saturday, July 16
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m.. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Garcia 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Samuel Kotey, welterweights; Lamont Roach Jr. vs. Angel Rodriguez, junior lightweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. David Jimenez, flyweights
  • Prediction: Garcia KO 8
  • Background: Lightweight knockout artist Ryan Garcia continues his comeback against a tough, proven veteran in Javier Fortuna. Garcia, who left boxing for more than 15 months to deal with mental and physical issues, easily outpointed capable Emmanuel Tagoe in his return bout this past April to reenforce his reputation as a top 135-pounder. The 23-year-old social media star from the Southern California desert is a prime candidate to face the top fighters in the division, including titleholder Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko. He’ll first have to get past Fortuna, a 33-year-old one-time title contender from the Dominican Republic. Fortuna, who is based outside Boston, lost a wide decision to former beltholder Joseph Diaz Jr. for an interim title in July of last year. He rebounded to stop Rafael Hernandez in the first round in February. His only title shot came in 2018, when he lost a split decision to then-champion Robert Easter Jr.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Kazuto Ioka vs. Donnie Nietes, junior bantamweights (for Ioka’s WBO title), Tokyo (no U.S. TV)

THURSDAY

  • Quinton Randall vs. Ivan Pandzic, welterweights, Toppenish, Washington (UFC Fight Pass)

FRIDAY

  • Uwel Hernandez vs. Kamer Maloku, super middleweights, Wuppertal, Germany (FITE)

SATURDAY

  • Michael Eifert vs. Adriano Sperandio, light heavyweights, Magdeburg, Germany (ESPN+)

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Fight Week: Ryan Garcia gets back to work against Javier Fortuna

Fight Week: Ryan Garcia will get back to work against Javier Fortuna on Saturday in Los Angeles.

FIGHT WEEK

KO artist and social media star Ryan Garcia returns to the ring against veteran Javier Fortuna on Saturday in Los Angeles.

ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. (26-0, 10 KOS) VS. DANIELITO ZORRILLA (16-0, 12 KOS)

  • When: Friday, July 15
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • Rounds: 10
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raymond Muratalla vs. Jair Valtierra, lightweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Roberto Zavala Jr., heavyweights
  • Prediction: Barboza UD
  • Background: Barboza, ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, has set his sights on the biggest names in the lightweight division but has yet to get his big fight. In the meantime, he’ll face the relatively unknown, but capable Zorrilla. Barboza is a good, experienced boxer with limited punching power. The 30-year-old from the Los Angeles area has been beating solid opponents for four or five years, including a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Moran last August. He said he hasn’t fought since then because he was holding out for a big fight but has to settle for Zorrilla for now. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican is no pushover. He too is a proficient boxer – the result of a successful amateur career – and he can punch, as he demonstrated by stopping veteran Pablo Cesar Cano in two rounds last September. Zorrilla hasn’t fought since that fight.

 

RYAN GARCIA (22-0, 18 KOS) VS. JAVIER FORTUNA (37-3-1, 26 KOS)

  • When: Saturday, July 16
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m.. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Garcia 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Samuel Kotey, welterweights; Lamont Roach Jr. vs. Angel Rodriguez, junior lightweights; Ricardo Sandoval vs. David Jimenez, flyweights
  • Prediction: Garcia KO 8
  • Background: Lightweight knockout artist Ryan Garcia continues his comeback against a tough, proven veteran in Javier Fortuna. Garcia, who left boxing for more than 15 months to deal with mental and physical issues, easily outpointed capable Emmanuel Tagoe in his return bout this past April to reenforce his reputation as a top 135-pounder. The 23-year-old social media star from the Southern California desert is a prime candidate to face the top fighters in the division, including titleholder Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko. He’ll first have to get past Fortuna, a 33-year-old one-time title contender from the Dominican Republic. Fortuna, who is based outside Boston, lost a wide decision to former beltholder Joseph Diaz Jr. for an interim title in July of last year. He rebounded to stop Rafael Hernandez in the first round in February. His only title shot came in 2018, when he lost a split decision to then-champion Robert Easter Jr.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Kazuto Ioka vs. Donnie Nietes, junior bantamweights (for Ioka’s WBO title), Tokyo (no U.S. TV)

THURSDAY

  • Quinton Randall vs. Ivan Pandzic, welterweights, Toppenish, Washington (UFC Fight Pass)

FRIDAY

  • Uwel Hernandez vs. Kamer Maloku, super middleweights, Wuppertal, Germany (FITE)

SATURDAY

  • Michael Eifert vs. Adriano Sperandio, light heavyweights, Magdeburg, Germany (ESPN+)

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Alex Saucedo retires at 26 because of brain bleeds

Junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo has retired at 26 because of brain bleeds suffered in his most-recent fight.

The career of junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo is over at 26 because of brain bleeds, according to multiple reports.

Saucedo suffered two brain bleeds during his unanimous-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. on the Teofimo Lopez-Vasiliy Lomachenko card on Oct. 17 in Las Vegas, ESPN reported.

Saucedo told ESPN that the damage was caused by a clash of heads in the first round of the 10-round fight.

“My career is done,” Saucedo said. “But I’m glad to be alive.”

He went on: “I’ve never saw another fighter come out alive after one of these. But if I get hit again, I might not be able to talk about it.”

Saucedo reportedly spent three nights at a hospital in Las Vegas.

The Mexican-born Oklahoman (30-2, 19 KOs) lost by a seventh-round knockout to Maurice Hooker in November of 2018, his only major title fight.

He rebounded to defeated Rod Salka and Sonny Fredrickson, which led to the Barboza fight. A victory over Barboza would’ve been a significant step toward a second title shot.

[lawrence-related id=14772]

Alex Saucedo retires at 26 because of brain bleeds

Junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo has retired at 26 because of brain bleeds suffered in his most-recent fight.

The career of junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo is over at 26 because of brain bleeds, according to multiple reports.

Saucedo suffered two brain bleeds during his unanimous-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr. on the Teofimo Lopez-Vasiliy Lomachenko card on Oct. 17 in Las Vegas, ESPN reported.

Saucedo told ESPN that the damage was caused by a clash of heads in the first round of the 10-round fight.

“My career is done,” Saucedo said. “But I’m glad to be alive.”

He went on: “I’ve never saw another fighter come out alive after one of these. But if I get hit again, I might not be able to talk about it.”

Saucedo reportedly spent three nights at a hospital in Las Vegas.

The Mexican-born Oklahoman (30-2, 19 KOs) lost by a seventh-round knockout to Maurice Hooker in November of 2018, his only major title fight.

He rebounded to defeated Rod Salka and Sonny Fredrickson, which led to the Barboza fight. A victory over Barboza would’ve been a significant step toward a second title shot.

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