Two-time world light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis has looked poor in his last two bouts and knows, aged 35, he might not get another opportunity as good as this on enemy soil to upset the favourite and thrust his name back into world title contention. Jack Catterall avenged his Josh Taylor defeat and doesn’t need any additional motivation for their Co-Op Live main event.
Catterall excited to face ‘hungry, driven’ Prograis
- Light-welterweight division hotting up! Catterall: “The 140lb division is stacked with a lot of great fighters, so I find myself fit and well, past the periods of inactivity and ready to fight… be involved in these big nights. He’s the biggest fight to have outside world champions, and victory will put me right atop the list, ready to challenge the division’s biggest names.”
- Ambitious: Newly-minted IBF champion Liam Paro makes his first title defence against Richardson Hitchins on Dec. 7, while WBO titleholder Teofimo Lopez and WBC champion Devin Haney are both established Stateside names that will naturally be of interest to Mancunian in 2025
- Bold or prophetic? Catterall says Prograis has “had his time in the sun,” and it’s a difficult road back to prominence should he lose a third time this weekend, aged 35 and with miles on the clock. “He’s a lot slower on his feet, carries power but my defence is too good – I can pick holes in him.”
JACK Catterall looks to end Regis Prograis’ decorated career at the championship level this weekend, when he duels against the two-time world light-welterweight champion on home soil in Manchester – eight weeks after the original fight date.
The 31-year-old, who many felt should’ve been crowned undisputed world champion in his first fight against Josh Taylor in Feb. 2022, has made up for lost time pursuing an oft-rescheduled rematch with four decision victories since aligning himself with Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom banner last summer.
Darragh Foley, Jorge Linares, avenging a controversial defeat with a clear 12-round victory in the Taylor rematch and now another elite name stands between him and the world title fights in Prograis. All in the space of 17 months, El Gato can afford to look ahead with a clear route at championship gold but must continue winning.
Per a press release this week, Catterall is highly motivated in preparation for a former champion trying to battle father time amid a decline from his prime years after disappointing performances since joining Hearn’s US-based stable last summer.
“I think if you look at Regis now, his last two performances have probably been below-par. I’m excited to fight a hungry, driven Regis, the fact he’s been world champion twice and wants to become three-time. He’ll be super motivated to get back on track, which gives me the fire in my belly.”
Saturday’s card, is as follows
Running order to be confirmed
12 rounds
Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis, world light-welterweight title eliminator
Reece Bellotti (c) vs. Michael Gomez Jnr for British, Commonwealth super-featherweight titles
10 rounds
Light-welter: James Flint vs. Campbell Hatton
Welterweight: Pat McCormack vs. Williams Andres Herrera
8 rounds
Light-middleweight: Junaid Bostan vs. Maico Sommariva
Super-featherweight: Joe McGrail vs. Lewis Morris
6 rounds
Light-middle: William Crolla vs. Lorenzo Grasso
Middleweight: Stephen Clarke vs. Mateusz Pawlowski
Women’s bantamweight, 4×2-minute rounds: Emily Whitworth vs. Sara Orszagi
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes sourced
Mo and Sports 