Arnold Barboza continues to attend for his alternative to battle 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 finally come, ahead of 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 stay 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 passed off nearly a 12 months 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 a detailed choice loss to Jose Ramiez on March 4.
Regardless of Pedraza having received three of his final six fights, Barboza just isn’t overlooking him.
“He’s a really skilled fighter,” Barboza advised BoxingScene earlier this week. “I completed watching him battle Richard Commey. He tends to battle lefty, then from the correct. He’s a artful fighter. Camp was nice although. We labored onerous up there (in Large Bear, California). I’m able to show I’m on the prime of my sport.”
Barboza sparred a number of occasions with prime prospect Abduallah Mason in preparation for his battle in opposition to Pedraza.
He has been pissed off over the past a number of months not with the ability to land a battle in opposition to a boxer within the higher echelon of the division. There was discuss of Barboza preventing Teofimo Lopez in Lopez’s first battle 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 battle in opposition to Lopez, Ramirez, or one other prime junior welterweight can be made.
“It’s irritating,” stated Barboza, who has fought beneath the High 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 battle for us.”
Whilst Barboza is a seasoned professional and is aware of his means 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 bettering within the health club. I confirmed I may brawl in opposition to (Alex) Saucedo and that I can field within the Zorrilla battle. I attempt to get higher within the health club. I by no means cease studying.”
Previous to signing with High Rank, Barboza had a short stint with promoter Gary Shaw. Earlier than dedicating himself full-time to boxing, Barboza labored for a distribution firm, transporting wine to totally different companies all through Southern California.
Barboza at all times felt a objective in direction of boxing, taking a danger by quitting his job. Regardless of difficulties he might have encountered, Barboza doesn’t have any regrets within the selections 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 possibility in boxing. I’ve gotten nice pleasure from the game, particularly over the past a number of months.”
In hopes of securing a world title battle or a conflict in opposition to a prime contender later this 12 months, Barboza believes he has confirmed he is likely one of the finest fighters at 140 kilos.
“Undoubtedly, I imagine I’m the most effective fighter within the division. I’m checked out as a high-risk, low-reward kind of fighter to others within the division. I carry versatility and I can regulate in fights. If Plan A doesn’t work, I’ve Plan B and C. I can field and brawl. One factor that will get neglected is that I do every little thing 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 straightforward: Within the health club, Arnold, Sr. is his coach. Exterior the health club, he’s his father.
With most father-son relationships may flip tumultuous, Barboza is glad his relationship together with his father strengthened over time.
“It’s nice. Not loads of relationships, that I’ve seen, get to have that robust bond between fathers and sons. A whole lot of occasions you hear tales of disrespect within the health club between the 2. They carry household issues to the health club.
“Boxing has introduced my Dad and I nearer. He’ll at all times be there for me and care for me. That’s an enormous benefit for us. That’s a robust bond we now have.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has lined 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