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Coach Abel Sanchez is choosing Arnold Barboza Jr. to dethrone WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez on Could 2nd of their undercard combat at Instances Sq. in New York Metropolis.
Abel feels that Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs) is the higher boxer. He has been extra energetic, combating regularly, in comparison with Lopez. All that may play a component in his successful a detailed choice. Lopez has the facility benefit over Barboza, however Sanchez doesn’t see him having the ability to land his pictures.
Barboza’s Sharpness
Teofimo-Barboza Jr. would be the first combat of the evening on Turki Alalshikh’s three-fight card at Instances Sq.. In the primary occasion, Ryan Garcis faces Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, and within the co-feature, Devin Haney fights Jose Ramirez.
“Barboza is good at everything. He’s not a big puncher, so, I wouldn’t say he’s 100%. He’s got great legs, and Teofimo’s activity may be the reason why Barboza wins a decision,” mentioned Abel Sanchez to Combat Hub TV in regards to the Could 2nd combat between WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr.
It’s going to be troublesome for Teofimo to land his punches towards Barboza, as a result of he’s not somebody that’s going to be stationary like his final opponent, Steve Claggett. That is going to be one other slick man, like when Lopez fought Jamaine Ortiz in 2024. He had a satan of a time towards that man, and received a 12 spherical choice that numerous followers felt was gifted.
Lively & Prepared
“Barboza fought not too long ago [February 15th] and he’s going back in,” mentioned Abel. “I think that helps him. The work in the gym isn’t going to be as difficult. It’s now about sharpening up and staying sharp. The weights right. So, all those things are a factor in preparing for a fight.”
Barboza Jr. has been very energetic currently, combating on February fifteenth towards Jack Catterall, and on November sixteenth towards Jose Ramirez. He fought 4 occasions in 2024. Barboza Jr’s different two fights final 12 months have been towards Sean McComb and Xolisani Ndongeni.
“I think Barboza is the better boxer. I think he’s got better combinations. He’s got better legs, and he positions better. He sees more things than Teo,” mentioned Sanchez. “Teo is a more talented Pitbull kind of style. So, I think Barboza is going to do things to confuse Teo just like Kambosos dropped him in the first round. He’s going to do things like that is going to surprise him, and win a decision.”
If Teofimo will get off to a foul begin wherein he begins getting hit loads by Barboza, it may very well be downhill from there. That’s what we noticed in his loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021. It unnerved him when Teo received dropped within the 1st spherical, and he by no means received snug after that. Though he did knock Kambosos down within the tenth, he didn’t end robust within the eleventh and twelfth. When George fought again, Lopez mentally crumbled.
Do or Die?
“It’s type of a bonus for Barboza that he’s a right-hander. He’s going to get some nice sparring, and he wins a detailed choice. Barboza hasn’t proven us he could be overwhelmed. He hasn’t proven us that he could be dropped, and he hasn’t proven us that he could be dealt with. Possibly that is the combat the place Barboza reveals us he’s the ruler at 140.
“Does Barboza have a chip on his shoulder, knowing this is do or die? It’s like, ‘You overlooked me and now I’m going to show you.’ I think that’s going to play a big role in this. Barboza and Teo,” mentioned Sanchez, when requested which is essentially the most attention-grabbing combat of the three on the Instances Sq. occasion.
