What is there to gain for Arnold Barboza Jr.? This question has puzzled fans ever since the American boxer took up a fight against Sean McComb on the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia card on April 20. He is already the mandatory challenger to Teofimo Lopez‘s super lightweight crown. But he is venturing into a fight with risk written all over it. Can he do it and inch closer to the WBO gold? Or will he stumble on his way to the top?

The fight for WBO’s Inter-Continental super lightweight title will act as the co-main event at Haney vs. Garcia. As Barboza Jr. is putting his title on the line, this effectively makes their encounter an eliminator to reach Lopez. So who leads the contest when both boxers’ records are held parallelly?

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Sean McComb: Putting numbers in perspective

At 32 and 139.4 lbs (63.2 kg), Barboza Jr. is the elder of the two and also holds a more illustrious record. He boasts an unblemished record of 29-0 with 11 KOs, and his knockout ratio of 38% signifies his calculated approach. The Long Beach native stands tall at 5’9″ (175 cm) and has a reach of 72″ (183 cm).

Meanwhile, at 139.1 lbs (63.1 kg), McComb is the younger of the two at 31 but holds a two-inch height advantage at 5’11” (182 cm). Moreover, he holds an impressive record of 18-1 with 5 KOs and trails behind his opponent in the power game with a meager knockout ratio of 27.78%.

It will be an interesting encounter between orthodox hitter Barboza Jr. and slick southpaw McComb. While Barboza Jr. sits at the top of the WBO rankings, McComb finds himself seven places below him and has the perfect opportunity to close the gap at the top. But can the Irish fighter do it? His recent form suggests that he is ready to take on the top competitors in the division.

Recent exploits, the form and lighting style of Barboza Jr. and McComb

McComb is currently on a hot streak as he has racked up consecutive 7 wins and is coming off the biggest win of his career as he outpointed Sam Maxwell last December. This showcased his ability to take down the top contenders and he will look to insert himself into the title frame at 140. He has a clear blueprint which he has implemented since turning pro after his 2018 Commonwealth Games endeavor: staying active and taking on a tougher opponent than the last.

But he should be wary of Barboza Jr., who bamboozled Xolisani Ndongeni earlier this year, ending his 11-month-long layoff, and marching to a devastating KO win. Previously, he edged past former two-time champion Jose Pedraza and has shown no signs of slowing down since making his pro debut in 2013. He has developed a habit of going under the radar with powerful performances, but he might finally grab eyeballs the way he should.

Read More: Boxing News: Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia Undercard Announced

Barboza Jr. can be summed up as a calculated, smart boxer and what separates him from the rest is his ring IQ. His skills and fighting IQ do the work for him instead of relying on power or athleticism. If you look at McComb, he is also a similar fighter with a not-so-explosive fighting style. But the Belfast native has great footwork, fights on the back foot, and moves around to avoid getting clipped. While he is not a slugger to challenge Barboza Jr., whatever he does, he does it well. But will it be enough?

Prediction: Who wins it?

If you look at who Barboza Jr. has fought, his record, and his ranking, you will call him the overwhelming favorite. He fights to maintain his distance and also doesn’t shy away from exchanging when called for. His footwork is commendable, and the same goes for his chain, which has been tested against the likes of Danielito Zorilla. But he has shown guts and grit to take on punches and unload one of his own.

So, where does it leave McComb? Undoubtedly, he is at the peak of his career and collecting wins for fun. But he has to bring his top game and work around Barboza Jr.’s calculated game plan. He could bring chaos into the squared circle, fight aggressively, and throw off the champion. But that’s nothing Barboza Jr. hasn’t faced before and overcome. And that’s something McComb has never done before. Despite McComb’s promise of an upset, such a result is highly unlikely, as Barboza’s skills and IQ triumph over McComb’s zealous attitude for 12 rounds.

What do you make of this exciting fight between Arnold Barboza Jr. and Sean McComb? Who do you think will emerge victorious on April 20? Let us know in the comments below.

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