Arnold Barboza vs Sean McComb: Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Tomos Ivers

Super-lightweight star Arnold Barboza Jr takes on Sean McComb at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York this Saturday.

The fight is on the undercard of the WBC super lightweight title fight between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. The winner of this contest will become the mandatory challenger for WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.

Tale of the Tape 

The undefeated Barboza (29-0, 11 KOs) comes into the contest on the back of his first victory inside the distance in four years against Xolisani Ndongeni. The American also beat former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza last year, pushing him up to number one in the WBO rankings.

Barboza isn’t known for his punch power, choosing to outbox his opponents with his movement and skills rather than throwing power shots on the inside. The skills of the American were on display in his victory over Pedraza, as he picked off the former champion with a range of punches and counters.

Irelands McComb (18-1, 5 KOs) makes a huge step up in level, the Irishman may be highly ranked but has never boxed above British level before. McComb is coming off a career best win after dropping former British super-lightweight champion Sam Maxwell three times on his way to victory.

Despite the knockdowns, the Irishman also isn't known for his punching power, electing to use his tall frame and reach to outpoint opponents from range. McComb’s sole defeat came against Gavin Gwynne when the pair met for the British lightweight title. Gwynne applied pressure through the fight which resulted in McComb turning his back in round seven with the referee waving it off.

Prediction

Barboza is quite certainly levels above anyone McComb has been in the ring with, and the Irishman is yet to show he is above British level. The American may not be known for his punch power but he has stopped better opponents than McComb. 

The bookies are offering little on a Barboza win or a stoppage. This could be because the pace that Barboza fights at will cause McComb similar problems to what Gwynne gave him. The American presents a far greater threat than Gwynne and is likely to cause McComb big problems throughout the fight.

The Irishman who is also prone to cutting has been dropped before and will likely be again, with the fight likely ending earlier than it did against Gwynne in round seven.

OddsNow's Pick: Arnold Barboza to score a knockdown (1/2 @ Bet365); Under 8.5 Rounds (9/11 @ vbet)

CHECK OUT OUR BETTING PREVIEW FOR DEVIN HANEY VS RYAN GARCIA HERE!

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