Jose Carlos Ramirez vs Arnold Barboza Jr Predictions: Now or never for 32-year-old pair

Former unified world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez takes on unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. this Saturday, November 16 in a welterweight 10-rounder. The fight takes place on the undercard of Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith at The Venue in Riyadh. DAZN will screen the stacked card live.

Here are my Ramirez vs Barboza Jr. predictions ahead of this big-stage battle.

This tantalising match-up arrives at a time when both men need it badly. Barboza is a curious case. 30-0 with a list of foes that reads like that of a hot prospect. But the Californian is 32 years of age. Far from the tantalising future of the sport, he is a man at risk of being left behind.

Ramirez is also 32 but with a record more becoming of a top fighter of that age. ‘Jaguar’ is a former unified super lightweight champion with a fine laundry list of conquered opponents. If you took the ages off the tale of the tape you’d think this was an up-and-comer stepping in with a ring veteran. 

This fight is giving each man something they need. Namely, a final springboard to a world title shot. Barboza knows he has to get there soon or he’ll be written off as a never-was. Ramirez is fighting to remain relevant. He’s been one of the best 140-pounders in recent years, but nothing lasts forever. 

In terms of recent performances, you would give the edge to Ramirez. He endured a torrid third round against fellow ex-champ Rances Barthelemy before pulling away for a wide unanimous decision. It was a win that ably demonstrated how much ‘Jaguar’ still has in the tank.

Barboza, theoretically the less shop-worn of the pair, endured a wretched night in his last fight. Many observers felt underdog Sean McComb deserved the nod in their 10-rounder. I would be inclined to agree. McComb looked bigger, faster and sharper. The fight didn’t even look close. But the judges elected to award Barboza the split decision. Twas ever thus.

Ramirez is on a cracking albeit sporadic run since losing his titles to Josh Taylor back in 2021. Along with the Barthelemy win, he has beaten a brace of former champions in Joshua Commey and Jose Pedraza. ‘Jaguar’ has only fought once a year but when he boxes, it has always been against a significant opponent.

Barboza can match that Pedraza win and has also beaten former title challenger Danielito Zorrilla. But the McComb struggle raised questions. Barboza looked second-best in every department before a helping hand on the cards. If the Long Beach man tries to fight like that against Ramirez, only a questionable set of cards can help him.

For what it’s worth, I think he will do better in this one. But Ramirez is arguably the best opponent Barboza has ever faced. The stakes are sky-high for these two considering their ages. The winner will be at the front of the queue for a world title shot, with the WBO title held by Teofimo Lopez being the likeliest avenue. But the loser risks a descent into gatekeeper status. Game on.

Ramirez vs Barboza Jr. Betting Odds

Ramirez is 1/2 to win here while Barboza is the underdog at 7/4. It is not a position the usually-favoured Barboza is overly familiar with. The draw is priced at 16/1.

Ramirez vs Barboza Jr. Full Card

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith

Jose Carlos Ramirez vs. Arnold Barbosa Jr

Oscar Collazo vs. Thammanoon Niyomtrong

Wiliam Zepeda Segura vs. Tevin Farmer

Oscar Duarte Jurado vs. Botirzhon Akhmedov

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Juan Garcia

Ramirez vs Barboza Jr. Predictions

This will be close. Barboza knows he needs to step up while Ramirez continues to compete at a high level. I think this could be hard to split and we might get a result that divides opinion.

I’m tip-toeing around the draw. It is tempting considering both men’s recent form and styles. But I will hop off the fence and say that I think Ramirez nicks this one. He’s more seasoned at world level and has been facing a better class of opposition than Barboza is accustomed to. I’ll give ‘Jaguar’ the nod at 6/5.

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