- Arnold Barboza Jr (33-1, 11 KOs) faces Oscar Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) over twelve rounds on Saturday 23 January 2027 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, live on DAZN
- Both men are making their welterweight debuts. Barboza is ranked No. 3 by the WBO at 147, with Duarte at No. 4
- My view: Duarte brings the power, but Barboza's boxing brain wins him a unanimous decision
Barboza vs Duarte: The Details
Right then, Golden Boy have their first big show of 2027 sorted. Arnold Barboza Jr takes on Oscar Duarte on Saturday 23 January at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Barboza vs Duarte is scheduled for twelve rounds at welterweight and it is live on DAZN.
It is a step up in weight for both men. Neither has boxed at 147 before, which adds a nice bit of mystery to Barboza vs Duarte. Who carries the extra pounds better? That might decide it.
How Barboza And Duarte Got Here
Barboza vs Duarte: The Favourite
Barboza is 34 and 33-1 with 11 knockouts. He is a former interim WBO super lightweight champion, and his only loss came against Teofimo Lopez. He bounced back with a wide decision win at this same Honda Center in March, picking up a minor WBO belt along the way. He is already ranked No. 3 by the WBO, No. 7 by the WBA and No. 8 by the WBC at welterweight.
Make no mistake, Barboza is not a puncher. He is a clever, tidy boxer who wins rounds with his jab, his feet and his timing. Proper old-school stuff.
Barboza vs Duarte: The Danger Man
Duarte is 30, Mexican and 31-2-1 with 23 knockouts. That is a serious knockout ratio. He has won five on the bounce since losing to Ryan Garcia, most recently a split decision in May, and he sits at No. 4 in the WBO rankings at 147.
Duarte comes forward, throws heavy shots and will make this uncomfortable. If he can trap Barboza on the ropes, he has the power to change everything.
Barboza vs Duarte Prediction
Let's not beat around the bush. Duarte is the bigger puncher and he will have his moments, especially early. But Barboza is levels above him in ring IQ and he has been in with better operators.
My prediction for Barboza vs Duarte is Barboza by unanimous decision, something like 116-112. He will move, jab and make Duarte miss, and the winner of Barboza vs Duarte puts himself firmly in the welterweight title conversation for later in 2027.