Arnold Barboza Jr. is always the forgotten junior welterweight. Barboza Jr. campaigned for Teofimo Lopez, but the election didn’t go his way - as Lopez opted for Josh Taylor later this year. Barboza Jr. has fought all the formidable opposition asked of him working his way up from a club fighter in the Los Angeles, California area, to a main event fighter last July on ESPN, getting a ten-round unanimous decision over Danielito Zorrilla.
Barboza Jr., who was signed to Top Rank Inc., for the great work he provided Mike Alvarado in camp prior to the Juan Manuel Marquez fight that took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California, now seems to be taking fate into his own hands, or at least that is what his manager, Rick Mirigian, is saying. Barboza Jr. wants to face the WBC junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis, as it seems Prograis seemingly can’t buy a fight it seems. Barboza Jr must be able to relate as he has struggled to get any fighter with any forward trajectory in their career to share the ring with him.
“[Regis Prograis, as addressed by his Twitter handle] I spoke to [Arnold Barboza Jr, referred to be his Twitter handle] today as he called me and he wants the fight, WHO TF do I call [SIC],” said Rick Mirigian last night at a little past 10 PM pacific standard time. “Serious, you got a dance partner now and a good one, we can try to put this together, let me know. If you are representing yourself call me, I swear we won't argue at all!”
When reaching out to Arnold Barboza Jr., directly he proved clarification on the situation as he indeed is targeting a fight with Regis Prograis. Barboza Jr. spoke to ProBoxTV via a text message to elaborate on the news that broke last night.
Many believed Regis Prograis would target Jack Catterall, but with Catterall now set to face Darragh Foley on May 27th, Prograis despite having a belt is still looking around for someone to make his first world title defense against. Barboza Jr., who is ranked number four by the WBC could fit the mold, though Sandor Martin is currently the number one ranked contender with Gary Antuanne Russell sitting at number two, and Jose Ramirez sitting at number three. Barboza Jr., who has yet to fight for a title is tired of hearing the narrative that Regis is the most avoided man in boxing.
“I'm tired of hearing how no one wants to fight Regis Prograis because I’m here calling for it,” stated Barboza Jr., the only man in the top ten of the world rankings at 140 lbs yet to receive a world title shot. “Give me a fair deal and [the fight happens]."
