Arnold Barboza Jnr has indicated that the welterweight division is likely in his future.
Barboza, 32-1 (11 KOs), most recently lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Teofimo Lopez Jnr at junior welterweight May 2 at Times Square in New York City.
After spending 12 years campaigning at 140lbs, the 33-year-old Barboza, of South El Monte, California, is prepared to move up if the circumstances call for it.
“If we get a title shot at junior welterweight, I will stay there, but most likely I will move up to welterweight,” Barboza Jnr told BoxingScene. “I have been at 140lbs my entire career. It is time to move up.”
Barboza believes he would be faster and simply better at welterweight after a hectic schedule that saw him fight three times in six months. First came his win over Jose Ramirez last November, then an interim WBO junior welterweight title win over Jack Catterall three months later, and finally the loss to Lopez in May.
“I did nine months of training and fights straight, with only three weeks’ rest,” Barboza said. “I left boxing for a whole month and a half. I was focused on my family, but now I am back.”
Barboza, who signed with Golden Boy Promotions in November 2023, has fought five times under the promoter’s banner. Before being signed by Golden Boy, Barboza spent the majority of his formative years as a professional with Top Rank.
“Hopefully, I get back in the ring this year,” Barboza said. “I hope to fight in October or November.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
