Barboza Survives Late Storm To Beat Zorrilla; Wants Teofimo Lopez Next!

Barboza Jr Wants Top Talent in Next Fight!

Arnold Barboza Jr challenges Teofimo Lopez
Arnold Barboza Jr (L), Teofimo Lopez

Arnold Barboza Jr Overcomes Late Adversity to Against Danielito Zorrilla!


Boxing fans in Temecula, California we’re treated to a good night of boxing as undefeated fighters Arnold Barboza Jr (27-0, 10KO) and Danielito “El Zorro” Zorrilla (16-1, 12KO) engaged in battle.

Zorrilla came into the fight as an unknown to the boxing community. Fighting out of Puerto Rico, and promoted by Hall of Fame Inductee Miguel Cotto, El Zorro is a decorated amateur, winning Bronze and Silver medals at the Pan American championships in 2013 and 2014. Despite this being a step up in competition, Zorrilla brings a serious power advantage with good boxing skills.

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Barboza Jr came into the fight already an angry man after being removed as the frontrunner to face former unified lightweight champion “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez. He has faced much better competition than his opponent like. Two namese include former WBO junior middleweight champion Mike Alvarado and title challenger Alex Saucedo. The California native was amped up fighting in front of the home crowd looking to prove he belongs in the championship conversation.

THE JAB TOLD THE STORY EARLY

Barboza came out using the best and easiest punch in boxing, the jab. He was using the jab like a maestro orchestrating a symphony, working off the jab with the straight right hand followed by double hooks to the body. Zorrilla landed two good right-hand counters until Barboza responded with crisp uppercuts on the inside.

The middle rounds were a carbon copy of the beginning of the fight, with Barboza landing the jab at will. Zorrilla found some short-lived success by landing a hard right hand. Barboza went back to the jab, before shoe-shining the body of Zorrilla with two brutal uppercuts.

DRAMA IN THE FINAL ROUND

Earlier it was revealed Barboza hurt his right hand but continued to throw it. Zorrilla kept coming forward, looking to land that one big shot. Barboza entered the final round firmly in control of the fight. Yet for some reason, he lost focus and was rocked by a hard right hand.

El Zorro went on the attack as the fight broke down into a brawl, and he landed another leg-wobbling right hand. However, Barboza tried to fight fire with fire, then realized it was safer to hold and go back to boxing. The home crowd exhaled after hearing the final bell. Barboza had shown heart by fighting through the storm.

Barboza was awarded the victory with one judge scoring it 98-92, and two saw it 97-93. During the post-fight interview, he called for two things: a title shot or a fight with Lopez next.

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By: Garrisson Bland

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Garrisson Bland - Head of Public Relations/Senior Journalist. Garrisson is the Head of Public relations for 3kingsboxing.com as well as a senior writer. He is also the host of YouTube boxing show "Truth And Facts Sports Talk."