Arnold Barboza warns Teofimo Lopez: ‘Boxing always finds a way to humble you, no matter what’ | Boxing News

Arnold Barboza, unbeaten super-lightweight with a record of 27-0, is on the verge of a major fight in one of the most diverse divisions of boxing.

But he had to beat Jose Pedraza at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, live at 2am Sky Sports Arena on Saturday morning.

Barboza’s 10-round win over Danielito Zorrilla finally came out and sits at number four in the WBO 140lb rankings.

Pedraza, a former world lightweight champion who lost to Vasiliy Lomachenko, is the WBO’s ninth-ranked contender.

A win over Pedraza would push Barboza to the WBO belt currently held by Josh Taylor.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Barboza said Sky Sports. “We have to win this fight first, that’s what I’m focused on, he’s not kidding.

“I know he’s coming for the same thing, a win against me puts him back in title contention. So we’re very focused on the task at hand.

“I’ve been waiting a long time. I’ve taken a lot of risks in my fights and I’m hoping to pay off after this. I’m hoping this is what finally comes to me.”

Taylor is aiming for a rematch with bitter rival Jack Catterall but the Scotsman is currently recovering from injury.

“I just think that something has to happen. It brings everyone to the line. I hope he gets better. I hope the fight happens sooner and he can move on or give it to someone else,” Barboza said.

“You can’t beat him because of what he did. The people he beat. I don’t know what happened, the fight is over. [against Catterall] he doesn’t look good but the fighter happens to have an off day.

“He looked really good against *(Jose) Ramirez, that’s Josh Taylor that I’ve always had my eyes on and Regis[PerangPrograis[Prograisfight[PerangPrograis[Prograisfight

“Hopefully he will get better and I can see Josh Taylor at 100 percent.”

Another major fight could take place in his weight class. Barboza will love Teofimo Lopez, a former top lightweight who appeared to struggle in his last fight with Sandor Martin at 140lbs.

“It’s a little bit of everything. It’s a little trash talking, the way he and his father are,” said Barboza. “The way he talks about certain things and people, I don’t like him. I don’t like the disrespect he brings to the sport. I just think he likes this fight.

“Boxing always finds a way to humble you, no matter what.

“He’s fighting a tough guy, he’s a good boxer. At 140lbs, I think he’s discouraged himself. I never believed he was as spectacular a fighter as everyone made him out to be. But I think 140 is another division. and I thought. he felt it.

“I’d like to see, if I’m given the chance, what I can do against him.

“I want to see him in the ring more than anybody, but it’s going to be a win on Friday.

“If I can’t take the title and I will try hard with the champion, then he will be my first choice.”

He boxed Pedraza on the headline bill by Emanuel Navarrete fighting Liam Wilson for the vacant WBO super-featherweight world title.

Pedraza has to be the toughest fight of Barboza’s career to date.

“He is very versatile which makes him dangerous. He is left, right, very sharp, accurate with punches. So this is a challenge that we are really looking forward to. I am very excited to try and see how it goes,” said Barboza.

“Pedraza can mix it up. He can box, he can stand there, same with me. We’ll see how the fight goes, but I know 100 percent it’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m definitely bringing an exciting fight.”

Watch Arnold Barboza vs Jose Pedraza on the Emanuel Navarrete undercard live on Sky Sports Arena at 2am on Saturday morning.