Rick Mirigian and MTK Global are delighted to announce the signing of unbeaten junior welterweight sensation Arnold Barboza Jr.

Barboza Jr (25-0, 10 KOs) will be advised by MTK Global and managed by Boxing Manager of the Year nominee Mirigian, and is widely regarded as one of the best 140lb fighters in the world.

The 29-year-old Californian native is currently ranked #5 with The Ring, #3 with the WBO, and #4 with the WBC, and was last in action in October where he defeated Alex Saucedo by unanimous decision to win the WBO International super-lightweight title.

Barboza Jr looks destined to become a world champion in the near future, and he is extremely delighted to be teaming up with MTK Global and Mirigian.

Speaking on the signing, Barboza Jr said: “It means a lot to me to sign with Rick Mirigian as my manager as he has proven what he can do for guys, along with MTK Global as my advisor.

“I now feel like the power team is complete and I’m in the best position I could be in to challenge for a world title soon. I am looking forward to a big 2021.”

MTK Global CEO Bob Yalen said: “We’re thrilled to be kicking off 2021 in a huge way by announcing the signing of Arnold Barboza Jr.

“He’s already shown in his career so far that he has all the tools to make it to the very top, and we’re confident that by working alongside Rick Mirigian and Top Rank on another big time fighter that we can help him achieve his dream of becoming world champion.”

Rick Mirigian added: “Our immediate goal is to position Arnold for a world title fight this year. We have a plan and map laid out for it.

“He’s hungry, humble and one of the best guys in the world in his weight class. At 25-0, some very big fights await for him and I’m grateful for the opportunity to manage him.”

Barboza Jr is the latest huge US name to team up with MTK Global and Mirigian, following the signings of Vergil Ortiz, Joshua Franco, Hector Tanajara, Misael Rodriguez and Jonathan Navarro.

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

There is a new undisputed WBO lightweight king. Teofimo Lopez toppled Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous decision in a superstar-making performance Saturday evening from the MGM Grand Conference Center, and in doing so, he became the youngest undisputed champion (23) in the four-belt era.

Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) won by wide margins (119-109, 118-110 and 116-112), fulfilling the prophecy by his father/trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., who predicted long ago that his son would be undisputed champion by his 16th professional fight.

Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs), a three-weight world champion, saw his 13-bout winning streak come to an end.

Said Lopez, “I had to dig deep, man. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day, I take that in. I thank God first because I couldn’t do it without him.

“I’m a fighter. I gotta dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang, too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.

“You just gotta keep pressuring him, press the gas, stick the jab and don’t really give him that opportunity to set up. Every time he did want to throw, I had something ready for him.”

Barboza Decisons Saucedo

In a battle of junior welterweight contenders, the unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. (25-0, 10 KOs) notched the most significant win of his career, surviving a knockdown to defeat former world title challenger Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo (30-2, 19 KOs) via 10-round unanimous decision. Barboza, ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning bodies, now has his sights on a world title shot.

Barboza said, “This was like a championship fight to me. It’s all because of my father {head trainer Arnold Barboza Sr.}, not me. I did this for kids and my father. My dream is to get a house for my kids. I came that much closer today.

“I want a championship fight. No more messing around. No more tune-up fights.”

Photos by M. Williams / Top Rank

(ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, Approximately 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT)

• Vasiliy Lomachenko 135 lbs vs. Teofimo Lopez 135 lbs
(Undisputed WBO Lightweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges: Steve Weisfeld, Julie Lederman and Tim Cheatham
Referee: Russell Mora

• Alex Saucedo 140 lbs vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. 140 lbs
(Vacant WBO International Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

Photos by M. Williams / Top Rank