A thrilling night of boxing took place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, where several title bouts and knockouts left fans on the edge of their seats. The main event saw WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr. claim victory over WBO International light welterweight champion Jack Catterall by split decision for the vacant WBO Interim 140-lb belt. Meanwhile, other fighters like Pat McCormack, James Dickens, Reece Bellotti, Connor Tudsbery, Aqib Fiaz, William Crolla, and Alfie Middlemiss also showcased impressive performances, with some securing decisive wins. Each match brought its own drama and excitement, making it a memorable evening for all attendees.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the contest between Arnold Barboza Jr. and Jack Catterall. The fight began with Catterall taking a slight advantage in the initial rounds, displaying his tactical prowess. However, Barboza, known for his relentless aggression, started to find his rhythm from the sixth to eighth rounds. Both fighters had moments of brilliance in the ninth round, while the tenth saw an unexpected twist when the contestants tangled, leading to a fall under the watchful eye of referee Steve Gray. As the fight progressed into the eleventh and twelfth rounds, it remained fiercely competitive, culminating in a split decision that favored Barboza.
In another significant bout, Pat McCormack, who has earned accolades as a 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist, faced off against Robbie Davies Jr. McCormack's superior skill and precision were evident early on. By the third round, he had already knocked Davies down twice, forcing the referee Marcus McDonnell to count each time. McCormack continued his dominance into the fifth round, landing a powerful right to the chin that resulted in Davies hitting the canvas for the third time. Sensing the inevitable, Davies' corner decided to stop the fight, handing McCormack a well-deserved win after just five rounds.
The super featherweight division also witnessed a shift in power. Zelfa Barrett, previously undefeated in this category, met his match against James Dickens. Dickens, a southpaw with a reputation for being tenacious, immediately pressured Barrett throughout the early rounds. Despite Barrett's attempts to counterattack, Dickens maintained control, particularly excelling in the seventh round. The final two rounds saw Dickens outscoring Barrett consistently, ultimately winning by unanimous decision. Referee Michael Alexander oversaw the bout, which ended with scores reflecting Dickens' superior performance.
The British and Commonwealth Boxing Council super featherweight championship also saw action, with Reece Bellotti emerging victorious against Michael Gomez Jr. Bellotti focused on targeting Gomez's body during the first four rounds, establishing a solid lead. A left uppercut in the fifth round sent Gomez down for an eight-count, further cementing Bellotti's advantage. Although Bellotti suffered a cut above his right eyebrow due to a clash of heads in the sixth round, he continued to dominate. By the tenth round, Gomez's corner conceded defeat, marking Bellotti's successful defense of his title.
Young talents Connor Tudsbery and Aqib Fiaz also made headlines with their respective knockout victories. Tudsbery, making only his second professional appearance, swiftly ended his match against Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano in the second round. Similarly, Fiaz displayed his prowess by knocking out Lydon Chircop in the third round. Both matches were stopped by referee Darren Sarginson, highlighting the potential of these up-and-coming fighters.
Adding to the evening's success, William Crolla and Alfie Middlemiss secured wins in their bouts. Crolla stopped Ayoub Zakari in the first round, demonstrating his striking ability. Meanwhile, Middlemiss triumphed over Caine Singh, earning a decision based on points. The night concluded with a series of compelling performances, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future encounters between these talented boxers.