Barbosa and Ramirez have a lot to prove. This is a decisive fight for both

On November 16, Arnold Barbosa (30-0, 11 KOs) has been waiting for the long-awaited showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will face a boxer with a name that has not yet fallen from the top as much as his previous opponents. Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) has lost his stock recently, but not so much that he is considered a total outsider in the fight.

For whom will this match be successful? Let’s figure it out.

Barbosa and Ramirez have had problems in previous fights. For both, a win tonight will be extremely important The overall career situation for Jose Carlos Ramirez and Arnold Barbosa, with which they approach the confrontation, is slightly different. If we talk about Ramirez, then until 2021 he was considered one of the strongest boxers in the first welterweight category. The American held two titles – according to the WBC and WBO versions – and did not lose at all.

And then there was the confrontation against Josh Taylor. At that time, the same Josh Taylor, who was a threat to everyone. And the Scot quite easily dealt with the American champion, taking away two titles from him. Taylor even twice sent Visavy into knockdowns, but never finished.

After that, the period of Ramirez’s return to the previous level continues. During that time, he defeated Jose Pedrasa, Richard Commey and Rances Barthelemy. Each victory was important, but none of them surprised. What’s more, every time fans wonder if Jose Carlos should continue.

It was difficult with Commie. Ramirez missed, but proved to be more durable than Richard and defeated him early in the eleventh round. It was very difficult with Barthelemy. A tall rival brought a lot of problems into the life of the former champion. But he lost. And although you can be skeptical of the judges’ notes, Ramirez still won. But again, everything was not only more difficult, but also not smart enough on the part of the former champion.

Arnold Barbosa will enter the ring as an eternal prospect. The American is already 32 years old, and he is still expected to shine.

Barbosa’s main problem is the lack of big names in the record. It is clear that he is a good boxer with good skills. He knows a lot in the ring, he can hit when necessary and overbox. But the selection of his opponents raises questions. He still won’t beat someone more famous or win the championship.

In 2022, Barbosa outboxed the awkward Danielito Zorrillho. In 2023, Jose Pedrasu won by decision of the judges. Then there was an early win at Xolisani Ndongeni. Every time it’s good fighters and good victories. But not the level they say when they mention Arnold.

In the spring of 2024, Barbosa met Sean McComb, and from the beginning it was clear that this was a bad match. The awkward and bulky Irishman had absolutely everything to knock Arnold off the path. And in the ring he demonstrated that schedules before the fight are not just talk.

Shawn worked well with a jab, breaking through the opponent’s defense from a distance. And if he lost, it was very close. At the same time, one of the judges saw Arnold’s victory as much as 98-92, which did not correspond in any way to what was happening in the ring.

So the fighters approach the confrontation in the opposite, but at the same time similar situation. The opposite, because Ramirez is a boxer who has proven himself, lost, and now seeks to return what was once. And Barbosa is a boxer whose prospects are talked about a lot and who will not demonstrate them in any way.

And similar because of the general context. Both have something to prove. Both still have the strength to prove their competitiveness. And both claim the biggest fights in an extremely interesting weight category. You just have to win.

Who is the favorite? Bookmakers here are unambiguous. You can bet on the victory of Jose Carlos Ramirez at 1.50. You can bet on the victory of Arnold Barbosa at 2.55.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Jose Ramirez (right) The logic is clear. Jose Carlos is an experienced but not old boxer. In general, the guys are the same age, it’s just that Ramirez has achieved many times more success than his opponent at the moment. Barbosa is still not so experienced in big confrontations.

At the same time, it is worth considering that Arnold’s level is really high. He was nearly beaten by McComb, but that meant nothing in the context of the showdown that lay ahead. The Irishman is a completely different type and style of boxer compared to Ramirez.

By the way, the same can be said about Jose Carlos. He had a hard time with Barthelemy, but Rances is not like Barbosa at all. Arnold is a classic, high-quality boxer. With a great jab, cool combo work, good body shots and a good jab. Against the background of non-standard Barthelemy, he generally looks like a terribly traditional fighter.

Much will depend on how Jose Carlos Ramirez will box. Will he cope with the clean boxing of Barbosa. And will he be able to box in this style himself. And don’t break into continuous exchanges and try to hit. Because in the second case, he will have to catch Barbosa’s counterattacks with his face, which is not good.

However, it is difficult to imagine how Arnold will cope with the onslaught of Ramirez. In theory, everything should be fine. But in the ring, Jose Carlos can offer the number one job and cut corners so intelligently that Barbosa will have to fight an opponent at medium and close range. And here the advantage in the power of the blow is precisely on the side of the former champion.

Great in terms of stylistic opposition. You definitely shouldn’t miss it.