Arnold Barboza has boosted his hopes of a title shot…

The 32-year-old Mexican American boxer unanimously outpointed Californian rival Jose Ramirez in a 10-round junior welterweight clash on Saturday at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Barboza, from Los Angeles, was the busier fighter and, despite Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) stepping up the pressure in the later rounds, took a close decision by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94.

Barboza was much improved from his split decision win over Sean McComb in April, and afterward called for a shot at WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.

“I was close to hanging the gloves up a few years ago,” said Barboza, who is the WBO No. 1 challenger.

“I got a fresh start, and this was the fight I have been wanting. I hope the WBO forgive me for not paying the sanctioning fee [to make the fight versus Ramirez a title eliminator] and keep me No. 1.”

Former junior welterweight champion Ramirez, 32, from Avenal, California, suffered a second career defeat, ending a three-fight winning streak since he lost an undisputed title showdown on points to Josh Taylor in May 2021.