The idea was to split the cards into two threads simply because the events are being run on separate nights and may make for easier reading.
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr
The interim WBO World Title is on the line as both Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr head into their thirty-second professional fight of their respective careers.
Barring a controversial Decision, both Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr would have the same 31-0 record, but the former was on the wrong end of the judges' scorecards in his first fight with Josh Taylor.
In another reality, Jack Catterall is not only a World Champion, but an Undisputed World Champion in the Light-Welterweight Division and he may even have moved up into the Welterweight Division to chase bigger fights.
Instead he is hoping that his run of four wins in a row since the loss to Taylor can be extended and the interim World Title is around his waist at the end of the night. There is every chance that is going to be upgraded sooner than later with the expectation being that full Champion, Teofimo Lopez, will not want to fight the winner of this bout as mandated.
Arnold Barboza Jr has perhaps been carefully building up his level of competition, and for some it will feel like the career has been managed too carefully.
He is 33 years old now and Barboza Jr needs to get going if he is going to achieve all he wants in the sport.
After a surprising struggle to beat Sean McComb, Arnold Barboza Jr earned his most impressive win last time out when getting the better of Jose Carlos Ramirez and it did feel he was a more comfortable winner than the cards may have indicated.
This is the first time Arnold Barboza Jr is competing in a Twelve Round fight, which is not the case for Jack Catterall, and the home fighter may just use that experience to win what should be a competitive fight through the Championship Rounds.
With the fans behind him, Jack Catterall can use his Southpaw stance to just make things awkward for Arnold Barboza Jr, who perhaps does not have the best footwork either. The British fighter may also hold the slight edge when it comes to the power and Jack Catterall has shown that he is fundamentally sound and able to find a way to put the winning Rounds together.
His win over Regis Prograis showed off some of the character, grit and determination with which Jack Catterall is fuelling his career and the feeling is that he is going to be able to just outwork Arnold Barboza Jr for a tough win on the cards.
There are some decent undercard fights to support the main event.
Pat McCormack is hoping to put some momentum behind his career as he steps up to face veteran Robbie Davies Jr in a crossroads fight for both.
The younger, fresher fighter can carry can his power and he may just force Davies Jr out of there, although the veteran has the experience and will to at least push Pat McCormack through his paces and get through a few Rounds.
A real rivaly fight between Reece Bellotti and Michael Gomez Jr has been built up after the latter pulled out of their original meeting at the eleventh hour.
Reece Bellotti felt Gomez Jr had 'swallowed it', but the latter will have home support and deserves a lot of respect.
However, the defending British and Commonwealth Champion has become a much more well rounded fighter as he has gotten older and Reece Bellotti may just be able to defend his Belts in a tight contest.
Zelfa Barrett is back after ten months and he is going to be well supported by the home fans- he is another who needs to just step up and build momentum, especially still being Ranked pretty highly with the IBF.
He is also facing a veteran that has perhaps seen his best days and Jezza Dickens has been Stopped in four of the five defeats suffered.
MY PICKS: Jack Catterall to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 1.80 Sky Bet (2 Units)
Pat McCormack to Win Between 6-10 @ 2.50 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Reece Bellotti to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 3.10 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Zelfa Barrett to Win by KO/TKO @ 2.37 William Hill (2 Units)
Boxing 2025: 4-15, - 12.85 Units (25 Units Staked, - 51.40% Yield)
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