Three knockdowns in Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis title fight, but both boxers hear the final bell
Jack Catterall moved up to 30 wins against American Regis Prograis and claimed the vacant WBO International super-lightweight title in the process.
Catterall (30-1, 13KO) triumphed over the former world champion Prograis (29-3, 24KO) on scorecards of 116-109 twice and 117-108.
Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall and Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis were headlining the boxing event at the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, live on DAZN, on October 26.The first big shot came in round three when Chorley’s Catterall times a crunching overhand left perfectly onto the oncoming American’s face.
There was a lot of feeling each other out, fighting at range, which suited Catterall on the backfoot, countering. Prograis lunged in occasionally, throwing caution to the wind to try and catch the defensive Englishman.
In round five, a southpaw right jab from Prograis caused Catterall to touch down, his glove grazing the canvas, and was given a count. Catterall was more off-balance than dazed by the punch.
Prograis was still trying to catch up Catterall but couldn’t close the gap and begin to windmill blindly at the home fighter, causing him to fall down twice in the eighth round. The second fall, he decided to drag Catterall down with him.
In the ninth, another perfectly timed overhand left floored Prograis heavily. He landed the same shot again right on the klaxons, but the bell saved the hurt Louisianan. The ninth was the most electric of the fight.
In the 12th round, Prograis’ desperation was evident for all to see as he ran up and into a huge windmill with his left hand that swiped thin air, Catterall nowhere even near, and he fell to the floor with the embarrassing miss.
Jack won unanimously and the 35-year-old loser clapped sportingly in defeat. That’s back to back losses for Prograis for the first time in his 12-year career, having been beaten very widely by Devin Haney (107-120 x3) in his last fight in 2023.
Catterall’s only loss came from Josh Taylor, albeit controversial, in 2022, and he has since avenged that defeat in his last fight in May this year.
Eddie Hearn was suitably impressed by his 31-year-old super-lightweight star and revealed, “[Prograis] said after, ‘This is the best guy I have ever fought by a mile.’ I think Jack Catterall is one of the most underrated fighters in the world. I think sometimes the style to the casual means they don’t necessarily understand how good he is.”
The promoter added, “With regards to Teofimo Lopez, I’ve said we’d love to spank him, but he is a very good fighter,” Hearn said. “He’s a massive star, and I doubt he would come to Manchester, but it would be some night – imagine bringing Teofimo Lopez to the UK.
“It is unlikely for Teofimo Lopez to come to the UK. He’s still blaming me for his George Kambosos defeat when we promoted the show in Madison Square Garden. If it went 12 rounds, I’d actually leave the arena before the scores are read out.
“Jack is sitting at number two [with the WBO]; I think this is going to move him closer to that number one position. Who knows what Teofimo is going to do? I see him probably moving up to 147; he’s got the legal dispute with Top Rank. Maybe Jack fights the winner of Barbosa vs. Ramirez for the vacant title.”
Hearn mused over a matchup against the winner of IBF champion Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins,
“We do have two guys fighting for the IBF title on December 7th in Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins,” Hearn said. “So, can we bring that world championship fight here? Obviously, Liam Paro is going to say, ‘Well what about Australia?’ Which is obviously something we’ll look at as well.
“If Hitchins wins, he’s going to say, ‘What about New York?’ Which is something we’ll look at as well. Jack’s in a great position. When you look at his last 11 months, Linares, Taylor, Prograis – he really does deserve a shot.”
Undercard
Campbell Hatton (14-2, 5KO) failed to avenge his sole defeat to James Flint (15-2-2, 3KO), losing on points for a second time in a row to ‘The Young Lion’ from Doncaster.
There were wins for Pat McCormack, Junaid Bostan, William Crolla, and Everton Red Triangle’s Joe McGrail.