Jack Catterall reveals who he wants next but isn’t interested in Josh Taylor trilogy
Jack Catterall spoke to OLBG ahead of his upcoming showdown against Regis Prograis and responded to Josh Taylor’s knockout promise, branding him ‘deluded’.
Josh Taylor has claimed he knocks you out if you meet in a third fight, what do you make of that, and could a trilogy bout happen before your career ends?
JC: “Right now, it’s not a focus. I have a big fight coming up in less than two weeks so that’s where my energy is going. Josh is deluded though to think he can knock me out in a third fight.
“The feeling is mutual between myself and Josh Taylor. We’ve boxed twice now, and I know for what Josh is, and he’s not somebody I would necessarily get on with and we are two different types of characters.
“That being said, I don’t wish him any ill, I’m not interested in any of that. But that said, I couldn’t care less about anything that Josh is up to.”
Should you beat Regis Prograis, who do you want next?
JC: “I want a world title fight next. You have to look at all four of the belts, but I want to fight Teofimo Lopez or Liam Paro. There’s a lot of good names in my division and big-time fights to be made so I expect there to be movement with belts in the coming weeks but Teofimo Lopez and Liam Paro are on the top of my list.”
What do you make of Teofimo Lopez after some inconsistent performances?
JC: “He is up there obviously and beat some great names. Like a lot of fighters, you have a night where you don’t perform at your best but for me, I would say he is the name in the division. A great fighter who has achieved a lot in the sport and he is definitely someone I want to fight.”
How excited are you to fight at the new Co-op Arena in Manchester, and what do you make of Regis Prograis at 35 years old?
JC: “I’m buzzing. I live just outside of the city and there’s no venues so to be back in Manchester at a new venue, it looks phenomenal, we’ve been there and had a tour around it so it’s going to be a good feeling.
“You only have to look at his last two performances against Danielito Zorrilla and Devin Haney. He’s looked a little bit past his best but nonetheless you prepare to fight against someone at their best. His back is against the wall in this fight with me because if Regis Prograis loses then he is out of options. He has had his time in the sun. Regis’ been a two-time world champion; he’s had some brilliant fights, but I expect to go in there and beat him.
“Regis’ knockout ratio shows he is a big puncher and that’s probably one of the last attributes he won’t lose is his power but I’m confident in my ability, my defence and ring craft to get me through that. Each fight proposes a different threat, and we’ve studied him long enough to know what we are up against.”