On Saturday night in Manchester, Matchroom’s Jack Catterall went up against Golden Boy’s Arnold Barboza with both men looking to leave the Co-Op Live Arena with the WBO interim belt.
The visitor was able to pull off a split decision win in enemy territory, remaining undefeated to halt the Brit’s four-fight winning streak which included victories over Jorge Linares, Josh Taylor, and Regis Prograis.
Eddie Hearn, in a post-fight interview with Ring Magazine, discussed the result and how he begrudgingly congratulated Oscar De La Hoya on the win.
He revealed that the two promoters had exchanged pleasantries after the fight, with Hearn texting De La Hoya his congratulations, albeit with gritted teeth. De La Hoya acknowledged the close fight and expressed his surprise at the decision going his way.
"I think he thought Arnold won but you know, in a fight as close as that, sometimes it goes your way. Tonight it didn’t and congratulations to Arnold Barboza," said Hearn.
