Catterall And Prograis Face Off – ‘I Need To Strike’
Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis faced each other for the first time in their kick-off presser.
The two boxers will square off on August 24 from Manchester, England, in their junior welterweight clash. Catterall is coming off a victory against Josh Taylor, beating the former Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion via a unanimous decision. The victory avenged the loss he had suffered to Taylor in 2022, with many feeling he had been unjustly robbed of a win. Catterall is now hoping for a world title shot, and beating Progais will go some way towards doing that.
Prograis lost his WBC belt at 140 against Devin Haney in his last fight. Regis was dominated as he lost every round on his way to a unanimous decision loss. The 34-year-old looked the shadow of the man who was a two-time world champion. This time, he must pull out all the stops to overcome Catterall in front of a UK crowd. The winner knows they can put their names into the hat for a title shot, with Matchroom Boxing’s Liam Paro holding the IBF belt at 140. Since Regis and Catterall are with Matchroom, that fight could be made. This is what both fighters had to say at the presser.
Presser
“I’m delighted. That chapter with Josh now is closed. It’s a new chapter. Before the first fight I found myself in a great position, number one in the WBO, but I was sitting on the shelf for too long. I think we understand that the division is wide open right now. There’s no immediate shot at the World Title but I didn’t want to be waiting until the back end of the year or early next year to get back in the ring, with the hopes of maybe landing a World Title fight.
“Like I said to Sam and I said to you (Eddie Hearn), I want the biggest fights. I think Regis said it, bar the World Titles this is the biggest fight in the division. I’ve had momentum, you (Eddie Hearn) have kept me active which I’m grateful for. I’m in a great position and I don’t want to be sat to the side waiting for fights to happen that might not happen. I need to strike while I’ve had the momentum.
“Regis is a two-time World Champion looking to become three. I know the winner of this fight is in a great position with you to go on and challenge for a World Title. This fight gets me up, I’m excited, it’s not far from where I live this Co-op Live arena. I’ve got everything to gain in this fight.
Further Comments
“I’ve been watching Regis for four or five years. I was at the fight against Taylor in 2019. I’ve watched him box in Dubai, I was in San Francisco in December so I’ve been seeing him and I know what he’s about. He’s a tough fighter and he’s earned his right – he’s a two-time World Champion. I know exactly what stands in front of me and I’m working hard. I’ve been straight back in the gym. No rest, no honeymoon, straight back to work,” Catterall said
“I feel like me and Jack is the biggest fight you can make in the division without a belt being on the line. We were actually supposed to fight a few years ago but it just never happened, and so now we’re here. I think this is the best time right now. For sure, it’s must-win. I have a goal now. Every time I get the belt I kind of just don’t care about it.
“Now I have a goal again. I want to be a three-time World Champion and this is the man that I have to get past. Catterall is one of the biggest names in the division right now. The 140lbs division is stacked right now. Like I said, this is the biggest fight that they can make without a belt being on the line. I’m ready to do it again in front of the crazy UK fans,” Prograis
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